West Midland Bird Club

Annua! Report No 45 1978

Little Owl by SC Brown

West Midland Bird Club

Annual Report No 45 19 78

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

Contents

2 Officers and Committee

3 Editor's Report

7 Treasurer's Report and Financial Statement

10 Secretary's Report

12 Membership Secretary's Report '

12 Branch Reports

13 Belvide Reserve

14 Ladywalk Reserve

14 Birds of the Swythamley Estate

23 Kestrels in the Birmingham Area

27 1978 Bird Record Localities

30 Classified Notes

104 Ringing in 1 978

11 7 Key to Contributors

118 Species Requiring Descriptions

Price £1.00

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Officers and Committee 1979

President Vice-President Chairman

Deputy-Chairman

Secretary

Membership Secretary Treasurer

Editor

Field Meetings Secretary Ringing Secretary

Permit Secretary

Chairman Research Committee Kidderminster Branch Secretary Staffs Branch Secretary Solihull Branch Rep. Main Committee

C A Norris, Brookend House, Welland, Worcestershire G C Lambourne, Melin Dan-y-rhiw, St. Davids, Dyfed A R M Blake, 102 Russell Bank Road, Four Oaks, Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands G M Lewis, 9a Plymouth Road, Barnt Green Birmingham B45 8JE A J Richards, 1 Lansdowne Road, Studley, Warwickshire B80 7JG D M Hawker, 16 Bournbrook Road, Selly Oak, Birmingham B29 J H W Ridley, 33 Blakedown Road, Halesowen, West Midlands G R Harrison, "Bryher," Hatton Green, Hatton, Warwickshire CV35 7 LA N P Coldicott, "Lyttleton," 18 Greenhill, Burcot, Bromsgrove, Worcestershire P Ireland, 33 Banbrook Close, Solihull, West Midlands B929NF Miss M Surman, 6 Lloyd Square, 12 Niall Close, Birmingham B1 5 3LX G R Harrison, "Bryher," Hatton Green, Hatton, Warwickshire CV35 7LA

M R Jones, 7 Lyndhurst Drive, Kidderminster

D Smallshire, 25 Caspian Way, Wheaton Aston; Stafford Mrs. D. Dunstan, 4 Blossomfield Road, Solihull, West Midlands K J Bentley, S C Brown, Miss G Davies, A F Jacobs, Mrs J Jacobs, Miss M Young, S Young

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Editor's Report Close scrutiny of this Report will reveal the absence of several familiar sets of initials, notably those of the late John Lord. John's invaluable contribution as editor for twenty-one years is well known, but somehow he found time to watch birds too and few will realise that his personal records invariably out-numbered those of anyone else! His contributions will be sorely missed as indeed will his help and guidance. For various reasons other regulars have not contributed records this year and it is ironic that whilst the membership has been steadily growing over the years, the number of contributors to the Report has not. True some individuals submit records on behalf of a group and thanks are due to them. I hope they will continue with their efforts. Nevertheless such arrangements can break down and all members are urged to submit their own records rather than rely on someone else. I would sooner have a dozen records all the same than hone at all. This year the old names of Bodymoor Heath, Cannock Reservoir and Rotton Park Reservoir have been dropped in favour of Kingsbury Water Park, Chasewater and Edgbaston Reservoir respectively. Some will regret this, but it is important to keep abreast of the times and the new names accord with recent editions of the Ordnance Survey maps. Finally I must again thank all those who have submitted records and also Alan Dean, Rob Hume and Dave Smallshire for their help in preparing this Report.

Birds in 1978 No fewer than 229 species or distinct races were recorded during a year that brought its share of the unexpected. Winter began mild and wet, but freezing conditions prevailed for much of February. Spring was dry, but cold, and summer was both cold and wet. Much of autumn was dry, mild and sunny, but a very cold spell at the end of the year was to herald the hardest winter for many years. January featured gales and a cold, snowy spell late in the month, whilst February began mild, but was then dominated by a polar air-mass and freezing conditions. Although it is not customary to single out particular localities in this review, mention must be made of Draycote, which enjoyed an exceptional year beginning with a concentration of 2000 Tufted Duck and 1250 Pochard. Associated with these were no fewer than two Black-throated and four Great Northern Divers, some of which were to remain into May, and a Ring-necked Duck. Elsewhere January brought the first ever Cetti's Warbler for Staffordshire, the only Firecrest of the year and, following national influxes the previous autumn, a second Ring-necked Duck and four Lapland Buntings. Waxwings were noted at three places and a Spotted Crake was discovered in early February. Cold

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weather later in the month brought Red-throated Diver, Slavonian Grebe and Rough-legged Buzzard. About this time an oil spillage on the River Tame badly affected Mute Swans. March began bright, but remained cold with northerly or westerly airstreams, gales and some snow. Early in the month the year's only Iceland Gull and Snow Bunting appeared and a small passage of Bewick Swans occurred. A Crossbill and two more Divers were noted and a Red Kite was seen on the twenty-third. Early April brought a scattering of Great Grey Shrikes and another Slavonian Grebe, but strong easterly winds until mid-month held up migrants. Common Scoter passed through on the sixteenth, Sandwich Terns the next day and late in the month a strong passage of Arctic Terns was accompanied by an Arctic Skua. Ring Ouzels and Pied Flycatchers were more numerous than usual, but cyclonic conditions persisted into May and most migrants were late. Tern passage early in May again involved good numbers of Arctic accompanied by a few Sandwich and Little Terns. Caught up in this movement were Fulmar, more Common Scoter, Kittiwake and Red-necked and Black-necked Grebes. Savi's Warbler returned for the third year running, two Ospreys and a Corncrake passed through and a trip of nine Dotterel paused briefly on the thirteenth. By now an anticyclone was established and the month ended with a heatwave. Two Harriers on the seventeenth were followed by Quail and two Temminck's Stints and the month closed with two Hoopoes, Wryneck, Little Egret and Golden Oriole—quite in keeping with the hot continental weather. Summer was short-lived, however, with June changeable and cool; July dominated by depressions and dull, cool spells and August under persistent westerly or northerly airstreams. A further Hoopoe and Osprey enlivened early June then, on the seventeenth, a Red-throated Diver arrived and both Night Heron and Serin were discovered in Worcestershire. A Marsh Harrier passed through next day and both Corncrake and Quail were heard late in the month and in July. Shelduck bred for the first time in Worcestershire, Common Sandpiper bred in Staffordshire and Oystercatcher probably did likewise. Raptors continued to improve their breeding strength, but sadly there were no records of Cirl Bunting. Unusual for early July were Manx Shearwater, Purple Sandpiper and Ferruginous Duck and this pattern continued with two more Purple Sandpipers in early August, along with a more-expected Osprey and Marsh Harrier. Small movements of Black Terns, with a few Little Terns, occurred on the first and twentieth, with a Red-necked Phalarope on the latter date too. September was dominated by westerly weather and strong gales especially in the last ten days. Arctic Skua and Black-necked Grebe early on promised well, but surprisingly little was seen of the major invasion of Curlew Sandpipers and Little Stints experienced elsewhere in the country. However the gales in mid-month brought three Manx Shearwaters, Storm and Leach's Petrels, several Shags and two North American Waders—a

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Buff-breasted Sandpiper on the fourteenth and a Pectoral Sandpiper on the eighteenth. Finally the month closed with a family party of Barnacle Geese, which were believed wild birds. Anticyclones persisted throughout October and most of November bringing warm, sunny weather with light wesleily winds. Early October saw another Spotted Crake and Leach's Petrel and a small influx of Rock Pipits on the seventh; whilst Thrushes moved in with easterly winds in mid-month, accompanied by Osprey and Black-necked Grebe. An invasion of Short-eared Owls began at the end of October and continued through November, which month also saw another Great Northern Diver. The weather from mid-November onwards was changeable, often wet and windy and with some exceptionally cold spells. Ferruginous Duck, the first-ever Warwickshire Eider, a few Bearded Tits and a Grey Phalarope occurred in mid-month followed on the twenty-sixth by another Leach's Petrel and a Black-throated Thrush in Staffordshire. Two days later the only Peregrine of the year was seen. Hen Harrier apart, early December was quiet, but temperatures dropped in mid-month when there was a small arrival of Red-breasted Mergansers and the odd Smew. Finally, during another cold spell after Christmas, the year closed with a skein of 1 1 5 White-fronted Geese on the thirtieth and a Pomarine Skua the next day.

G R Harrison'

Obituary

John Lord It is sad that for a second year running the Club has lost a member who had given much to the Club. John Lord, who died in October 1978, had served as Editor of the West Midland Bird Club's Annual Report for an unprecedented span of 21 years from 1951 to 1 971, during which period this report became nationally regarded as of the highest standard. John Lord, a Yorkshireman, moved to Sutton Coldfield with his wife and family in 1949. Immediately his initials appeared against his records in the Annual Reports. Within a couple of years he was elected to the Research Committee and was helping Tony Norris with the Annual Report. His succinct literary style enabled us to produce a report with the maximum of information in the minimum of space. To many he was a man of few words, but members of the Research Committee will remember his

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thoughtful contributions, always economic of words but frequently tinged with a gentle wit. He will also be remembered for the high standard he set for the acceptance of difficult' records—perhaps he may have rejected a valid record or two, but we can be grateful that future generations can regard our reports as thoroughly reliable. In the field also, his care, patience and thoroughness were striking. Together we produced The Birds of Staffordshire," published in 1962. Once again his terse style is apparent in the Classified List, and I remember well his insistence that there was no merit in padding out the account unless it added to the facts. We will all share, I am sure; in extending our sympathy to his widow, Mary, and his family. A R M Blake

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Treasurer's Report (year ending December 3 1 , 1 9 7 8 ) Inflation remained high during 1978 and principal expenses all rose significantly, bulletins by £445, printing by £250 and the Annual Report by £90. The result was a reduction in the surplus from £ 1,150 in 1977 to £269 in 1978. The accounts show that subscriptions by no means covered total expenditure. The Belvide account showed an excess of income over expenditure of £320, due particularly to the excellent response from members in purchasing permits. Thanks, as always, go to members who have covenanted their subscriptions, and I appeal to all who do not to consider doing so. J H W Ridley

I ncome and Expenditure Account for the Year ending December 31 ,197B . 1978 1977

Income £ £ £ Subscriptions received for 1 9 7 8 4 , 1 8 5 4 , 4 8 5 Sale of Reports 165 1 1 5 Birds of Belvide 6 2 3 1 1 Building Society Interest 2 8 2 1 6 0 Reservoirs (Permit Fees) 9 2 0 9 5 1 Atlas Fund 19 9 Sale of Greetings Card — 1 Sale of Field Lists — 4 Proceeds of Raffle — 8 Film Show Receipts — 9 2 Sale of Ruddy Ducks — 8 0 R.S.P.B. Gift 4 0 4 0 Pictures — 2 3

5 , 6 7 3 6 , 2 7 9

Less Expenditure Indoor Meetings 3 2 0 3 0 7 Reports 1 . 5 3 5 1 ,445 Bulletins 2 , 1 4 5 1 , 7 0 0 Printing, Stationery and Postage 5 6 0 3 0 4 Reservoirs, Permit Fees and Insurance 8 0 8 8 4 3 Subscriptions to Associates 11 13 Birds of Belvide Publications — 2 6 7 Gift to Belvide Fund — 2 5 0 Donation to Richard Richardson appeal 2 5 —

5 , 4 0 4 5 , 1 2 9

Surplus for the year £ 2 6 9 £ 1 , 1 5 0

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B e l v i d e — 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 i n g D e c e m b e r 3 1 , 1 9 7 8

1978 Income £ £ Permits 1 , 1 5 7 Field Meet ings 6 5 Donations etc. 4 Grazing 1 1 5 British W a t e r w a y s Refund . — Nature Conservancy — Concorvation Fund Transfer — Survey 1 0 0

1 ,441

Less Expenditure Reserve Maintenance 7 2 Keys 4 3 Staffordshire Conservation 4 0 Rent 6 0 2 Insurance 4 6 Inaugural Day 151 Car Park Rent 2 5 Printing 2 9 Postage and General Expenses 2 1 Key Refund 1 Photographs 5 Grazing Refund 8 6

1 ,121

Surplus for year £ 3 2 0

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Balance Sheet at December 3 1 , 1 9 7 8

1978 1977 £ £ £

Surplus As at December 3 1 , 1 9 7 7 2 , 7 1 4 9 2 3 Add: Surplus/IDeficit) on main account 2 6 9 1 , 1 5 0

Surplus on Belvide account 3 2 0 4 6 2 Profit on sale of Unit Trusts — 1 7 9 F. Dale Bequest 1 , 9 7 8 —

2 , 5 6 7

As at December 3 1 , 1 9 7 8 £ 5 , 2 8 1 £ 2 , 7 1 4

Represented by Current Assets Cash at bank 1 9 3 8 Leicester Building Society 4 , 6 1 9 2 , 8 7 9 Halifax Building Society 2 , 2 4 9 2 4 9 Debtor in respect of Belvide 57 —

6 , 9 2 6 4 , 0 6 6

Less Current Liabilities Subscriptions in advance 8 5 9 6 9 4 Permit fees in advance 7 8 6 6 5 8

1 , 6 4 5 1 ,352

Total net assets £ 5 , 2 8 1 £ 2 , 7 1 4

We have examined the above Balance Sheet and Income and Expenditure Account. In our opinion these Accounts give a true and fair view of the state of the Club's affairs at December 31, 1978 and of the excess of income over expenditure for the year ended on that date in accordance with books, vouchers and information given to us.

Arthur Young, McClelland Moores & Co, Chartered A ccountants

PO Box 1. Union Chambers, 6 3 Temple Row, Birmingham July 2. 1979

J H W Ridley Hon Treasurer

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Secretary's Report Indoor Meetings As ever, the problem of arranging a programme of speakers to suit the wide tastes of a Club our size was not an easy one. However, the task is always much easier knowing that the excellent facilities of the Museum and Art Gallery are available to us, even though the cost for their use continues to increase. The helpfulness of the Museum staff thankfully remains constant and we are once again indebted to them for their

' kindness and assistance in seeing to our every need. Speakers 1978 were as follows:— January: David Wilson—Joint Meeting with the RSPB. February: M C Wilkes and M Fitzgerald—'A Year of Birds'. March: Annual General Meeting. April: W G Teagle—Town Birds'. May: Robert Gilmor—'Keyna and its Wildlife'. October: Bryan Sage—Conservation in the Hawaiian Islands'. November: Dr Stephanie Tyler—'Ethiopian Wildlife'. December: Donald Smith—'A Bird Photographer North of the Border'. During 1978 meetings were also held in Solihull and we are indebted to the following who talked to members at this venue: M C Wilkes, Ken Webb, Gordan Ireson.

Deputy Chairman On February 7, 1978 an Extraordinary General Meeting was held to ask members consent for a rule to be made allowing the election of a Deputy Chairman. This was agreed and Mr George Lewis was asked to accept nomination for this post, to which position he was duly elected. Mr George Lewis a member of the WMBC for over 20 years was at one time Treasurer of the B T O and is currently Company Secretary of the recently formed Bardsey Island Trust Ltd. It is intended that the Deputy Chairman be responsible where possible for the conservation interests of the Club.

C G Lambourne—Elected Vice-President Cecil Lambourne has been a member of this Club longer than all but a handful of others, he first appears as an 'associate' in the 1939 report and subsequently served as Field Meetings Secretary, Treasurer and Conservation Officer. His untiring efforts for conservation were, as members already know, recognised when he was awarded the MBE. His greatest single contribution to the benefit of the WMBC is the creation of Belvide Bird Reserve and as recognition of this and his many other services to the WMBC the Committee elected him as a Vice-President following his resignation as Conservation Officer and retirement to "Pembroke in 1978.

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Film Shows, Open Days, etc. As in previous years, the Club was involved with film shows in conjunction with the RSPB, principally at the Town Hall, Birmingham on 12th April and at Solihull on 13th Octobcr. We also joined with RSPB Groups at Coventry on 1 1th November and Birmingham on 9th December as part of Open Days staged at those venues. Additionally, we played a major role in the staging of the Solihull Nature Conservation Fayre held on 20th and 21 st May. Particularly related to this latter event Mrs. Daphne Dunstan must be thanked for her efforts, though it must also be said she was equally prominent in connection with most, if not all, of the other above mentioned events as well. Resignation of Treasurer—Derek Thomas After many years service to the Club, the Committee regretfully accepted Derek Thomas' resignation as Treasurer. The Club will always be grateful for the devoted way in which he looked after the Club's financial affairs. With effect from the 1st August 1978 John Ridley took over the responsibilities of this office. Bird Watching Permit Schemes Mrs. Cicily Randall who so ably looked after the issuing of permits for the Club's various birdwatching permit schemes moved out of the area in 1978 and as a consequence could no longer handle this aspect of the( Club's affairs. We were more than sorry to lose Cicily who has looked after permits so efficiently over the last four years and wish her well in her new home in Bournemouth. However, we are more than pleased that Miss Margaret Surman was able to take over the exacting demands of this post enabling this important aspect of the Club's administration to continue in an equally efficient manner. Permits issued in 1978:— Belvide 409 Blithfield 404 Ladywalk 408

Lectures in conjunction wi th the University of Birmingham Department of Extra Mural Studies Through the good offices of Dr R A D Cameron of the Department of Extra Mural Studies, a series of lectures were arranged in conjunction with the WMBC and these were held in the Birmingham and Midland Institute, Margaret Street. Of the six monthly lectures by prominent ornithologists, three were given during 1978, when Dr Snow spoke in October, Dr Bourne in November and in December, Malcolm Ogilvie of The Wildfowl Trust. The remaining three lectures were given in 1979. A J Richards

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Membership Secretary's Report The membership figures for 1 978 showed very little change over those for 1977, there being 3 fewer at 1716; this figure consists of 1647 senior members and 69 juniors. The number of non-payers struck off in March had fallen to 270, representing a loss of 1 5% of adult and 26% of junior membership (this is about the general level for the Club within the last few years). During the past year the Club has gained many members of the RSPB; it is hoped that this reflects the growing link between the two organisations and that this will continue to develop. D M Hawker

Staffordshire Branch Report The Branch was involved in two major aspects of conservation in the county in 1978. The first was the threat to the Roches-Back Forest area of the moorlands caused by the change of ownership and the introduction of sheep. This is a habitat of great value, holding as it does several scarce moorland species, including Black Grouse. The Branch took urgent action to bring this fact to the notice of all the authorities concerned. The second aspect concerned the County Council's proposals for Cannock Chase, a document running to three volumes on which the Branch commented in great detail and, it is hoped, with some success. In addition a close watch was kept on the numerous District Plans published during the year and comments were made on these where necessary. We were involved in the Mute Swan census and in addition ran our own Redshank/Snipe enquiry during the breeding season. Preliminary results echo the decline of the latter species which has been noted nationally. The highlight of the indoor programme came in April when we marked the 21 years of our existence as a Branch with a celebratory gathering in Stafford, attended by nearly 100 members. The rest of our meetings were graced by a wide variety of speakers. Their topics this year were perhaps a little less far-flung than usual—Derbyshire, Cheshire, The Dee, Bardsey and the Hebrides all being well to the fore, though we did pay a couple of quick visits to Africa and another to Sri Lanka. Field meetings, in contrast, could only manage to get outside the county as far as Slimbridge and Hilbre. We did, however, have another successful Field Study day, this time in the extensive grounds of the University of Keele. E W Longman

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Kidderminster and District Branch Report Indoor meetings continued to be held in Kidderminster Arts Centre under the chairmanship of Miss M N Badland. The Branch Secretary Mr Robin Jones once again arranged a full and interesting programme of talks throughout the year and completed his second year as Branch representative on the Main Committee in Birmingham. At the AGM in January Mr Peter Woodward was elected Field Meetings Organiser and Miss B Perkins was re-elected Branch Treasurer. Field meetings were held each month except for July and August mainly at well tried places. Highlights of this outdoor programme were a Friday evening visit to Crowle in May when Mr Ken Thomas produced a Nightingale in full song for the entertainment of a good turn out of members; and a Sunday morning visit to Whittington near Stourbridge, in September, led by Mr J R Mountford with a flock of Curlew 100 strong. Participation in nest box schemes in the Wyre Forest area continued with the successful breeding of Pied and Spotted Flycatchers, Marsh, Great and Blue Tits. L R Bayes (Branch Vice-Chairman)

Belvide Reserve The Reserve's second year of existence was every bit as successful as the first: the sale of 412 permits more than guaranteed financial viability. The Reserve was officially opened when Sir Peter Scott unveiled a plaque on the new hide on April 20; a buffet lunch on this occasion enabled the Club to express its thanks to the many individuals and organisations who freely gave their assistance during the Reserve's period of establishment. With much help from volunteers, the new hide was screened and several islands were reinforced in an attempt to reduce erosion. Although only Mute Swan, Lapwing and Coot nested on them, the islands have certainly proved their worth in attracting a variety of other species to rest and feed. About 140 species occurred during the year, of which at least 60 are believed to have bred in the area. Waterfowl had a fairly good breeding season, and Redshanks, Snipe, Little Owl, Kingfisher, Great Spotted Woodpecker and Reed Warblers all bred successfully. Some good waterfowl concentrations occurred in late summer (e.g. 650 Tufted Duck, 150 Pochard, 4 Scaup) and late autumn (e.g. 250 Shoveler, 313 Ruddy Duck, 1600 Coot). Other good totals included 18 Shelduck, 20 Gadwall and 126 Goldeneye. Two new species for the Reserve occurred— Ferruginous Duck and Nightjar—and other oddities included Smew, Merganser, Scoter, a June Little Stint, up to 58 Arctic Terns in spring, Kittiwakes, Little and Glaucous Gulls, two spring Arctic Skuas, Merlins, Hobbys, Great Grey Shrike, Black Redstart and Hawfinches. D Smallshire

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Ladywalk Reserve After a mild, wet winter the arctic conditions of late Jan-Feb produced 2 0 0 0 head of duck on the marsh, while the dry, cold spring followed by a wet, cold summer and a mild, dry and sunny autumn brought no less than 23 species of wader there. And the year ended with a short Siberian spell in which little of note was reported—there is no shelter on the marsh from easterly weather. The denuded covert has lost its numbers of Spotted Woodpeckers but gained a regular Green Woodpecker; however, the most important development here is the splendid long-term conservation work of the CEGB in replanting half the area as indigenous deciduous woodland—Oak with a mixed understorey of Hawthorn, Blackthorn, Hazel and Rowan. The replanted areas are rabbit-fenced and are to be respected by all visitors to the covert. Little Grebe and Water Rail are again being reported from Church Pool, a good indication of the improved biological state of the water. 1978 saw the renovation and weatherproofing of all three hides. Once again we are indebted to the Hams Hall management of the CEGB. During the year 140 species were recorded, which is the highest total ever, and half this number bred. Shag, Red-crested Pochard, Temminck's Stint, Little Tern and Lapland Bunting were new species for the reserve. H T Lees

Birds of the Swythamley Estate Introduction The Swythamley Estate lay in North Staffordshire, adjoining in places the River Dane, which is the county boundary with Cheshire. From 1832, it was in the hands of the Brockiehurst family, but after the death of Sir Philip Brockiehurst in January 1975, the estate was auctioned. Much of the estate is farmland, and passed mostly to the tenants. The estate also included the moorlands and woodlands of Back Forest, The Roaches, and Hen Cloud, and these were bought in October 1977 for sheep farming. The main ornithological interest of the estate centres on these areas, and during 1978, most weekends were spent censusing their wildlife, in order to provide a base against which changes in the flora and fauna caused by the addition of sheep could be judged. Gun Hill moorland was also part of

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the estate, but could not be covered in the time available. The main moorland was divided into three sections. Back Forest is a long ridge with moorland, mostly old heather and bilberry, covering 82 ha along its northern flank, and 48 ha of woodland below the moorland, running downslope to the Hiver Dane. I he woodland includes two major types, old conifer, mostly Scots pine and larch with little scrub cover in the eastern half and a mixture of birch scrub and oak, with a few conifers in the western half (where the conifer woodland had apparently been felled in wartime). The birch scrub together with some pine, larch, rowan and oak was regenerating naturally, and spreading into the moorland; this contributed significantly to the richness of the habitat and to its attraction for birds. The Roaches includes about 251 ha of moorland, mostly heather covered, but with grassy, Molinia dominated areas on the lower, flatter ground. Long Roach Wood, covering 19 ha, is a long strip of coniferous woodland, mostly Scots pine, larch (many of them dead) and firs, with a few oak, rowan and sycamore. Hen Cloud is a smaller area of 33 ha, mostly moorland but with 7 ha of woodland, mostly Scots pine. Some improved pasture, 5 ha, lies between Hen Cloud and The Roaches, while 3 ha of pasture at Roach End were included in the survey, as were the 20 ha of rough grazing of the "Western Fields," at the western end of Back Forest. This area received less attention than the other two. The interest of this area, ornithologically, seems to depend on a combination of habitats which is unique in the Peak District; the mixture of habitats present in such a small area; the extent of scrub, particularly birch scrub; the luxuriant bilberry cover; the scatter of rowan; the frequent gullies and outcrops of Millstone grit. Some of these components are highly susceptible to sheep grazing, and it is against that background that this report is presented. The principal bird censusing visits were made between 8 April and 10 June; within this period, 7 counts on Back Forest and 6 on the Roaches were carried out, but only 2 on Hen Cloud. Each count on Back Forest required 6-7 hours, always on Saturdays; counts on the Roaches required at least 6 hours, but had to be split between Saturday and Sunday each weekend. Hen Cloud required about 2 hours. Because Back Forest is a narrow strip of woodland and moorland, reasonable coverage was achieved by walking westwards through the woodland and returning eastwards along the moorland. The Roaches is a much wider tract of country, and had to be covered in several sections, increasing the risks of double counting and missing sections of ground altogether. In addition to the bird censuses, 16 other visits were made to the area between 7 January and 23 September. I am very grateful to Messrs. S P Sykes and A G Edgecox for permission to wander freely over their land.

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Bird Census Given the area, the habitats, and the insufficient time, the censuses could not conform to BTO "CBC" standards, and there must' be some uncertainty in the counts, especially of numerous species. Streamside species were certainly overlooked, and nocturnal ones may also have been missed. The available figures are given in table I and comments on the species follow. A Mallard off a nest in heather was the only record within the study area; she was not seen before or afterwards. A pair of Canada Geese nested just east on Goldsitch Moss, and Teal were reported several times on Sniddles Head. Display flight by a male Sparrowhawk was seen twice and the female was watched nest building and copulation was observed. Subsequent visits were rewarded at most only by fleeting glimpses of the birds, and it was concluded that the breeding attempt failed. A male Kestrel was displaying over Back Forest moor and was regularly seen hunting over there and the fields to the west; it was felt that a nest was present in this area but not discovered. A nest with four eggs was present in a usual site near Roach End, but was later found empty, except for a feather stuck vertically in the sand; it was presumed that the young chicks had been taken. (Since two males were once hunting together, it is clear that this was not the nest of the Western male.) For the Red Grouse, alone of all species censused, the start of censusing on April 8 was too late; the highest count of about 42 territories was obtained on this date and later counts were lower. Since the figures used in table 1 are based, so far as possible, on territories being registered on at least two censuses, the more modest figure of 37 territories is given. Display flights and "crowing" are conspicuous enough and these figures are likely to be quite close. They imply an average territory size of 10 ha, which is large, and the low population would not support the bags of 1 74-376 obtained in 1971-1975. However, the suggested spring population of 8 territories on Back Forest is consistent with counts of 33 birds on August 5 and 32 on September 2 (suggesting only 1.0 young per adult, a poor breeding success). Better management of the heather could surely improve this grouse stock. In 1970 and 1971, flocks of around 4 0 Black Grouse were seen feeding on birch scrub in the Back Forest area; a displaying cock was disturbed from the scrub in March 70 and a female with two young was put out in 1972. The most disappointing aspect of the present study was the scarcity of this species: one on January 21, one certain female and two possibles put out of birch scrub, and another flying over from the south, on February 18; two females put out of a larch on April 15; and one female put up from a possible nest site on May 6 (but not present later). However, on neighbouring areas, 2 males were displaying to 6 females on

17

Goldsitch Moss on April 1 5; and 9 males were displaying to each other at Gib Tor, on May 7—there were none on Goldsitch Moss at that time. At least two cock Pheasant were present in Back Forest. Grey Partridge were quite regular on the surrounding grasslands, and at least two pairs were present in the western fields. A male from Pheasants Clough was watched running from the fields onto the rough moorland in front of Roach Quarries, crowing all the way, and then returning. A Corncrake, flushed from heather on May 6, flew only 50 metres and landed. Not seen, nor heard, subsequently, and presumed on migration. The only pair of Lapwings strictly within the study area occurred on the fields between Hen Cloud and the Roaches. Though young were not seen, behaviour suggested successful breading. At least 2, probably 3 pairs, held territory on the farmland of Shawside and Shaw Cottage. In previous years, the pasture along the south side of Back Forest has held fair numbers of Lapwing; but this area was not surveyed in 1 978. One or two pairs of Golden Plover bred in the burnt area of Goldsitch Moss, and could occasionally be heard from the study area; they are not known to have bred so near to the Roaches before (cf. Valden 1 974). One pair of Curlew nested on Back Forest, a bird being put off four eggs on May 6; neither nest nor birds could be found subsequently and they are assumed to have failed. A second pair frequented the Western Fields, and may have bred, while to the north of the study area there were three other territories in earshot, on Gradbach Hill and the ridge to Allgreave. On the Roaches, a pair on the South East Fields and another on Shaw Cottage fields held territory, while there was possibly a third pair on Hen Cloud. Snipe were not evident on the study area but certainly were drumming over Goldsitch Moss, and one male was regularly over the Shawside/Shaw Cottage Fields. Woodcock were flushed from Back Forest on three occasions; roding was not recorded, but could have been missed. One pair of Stock Doves attempted to breed in the derelict Lower Roach End buildings, but rebuilding started shortly afterwards and they were presumably unsuccessful. At Five Clouds, one was disturbed from a presumed nest hole on April 29, but was not seen subsequently; climbing disturbance was believed to have caused desertion. Wood-pigeons were well scattered through the woodlands, but the inconstancy of their song made them impossible to census properly. The highest figure, suggesting 6 pairs in Back Forest, 5 pairs in Long Roach Wood and 4 pairs on Hen Cloud is probably nearest. Feral pigeons and collared doves were both conspicuous by their absence, though racing pigeons flying over were frequent and numerous. Cuckoo was not recorded until May 6 when there were two pairs in Back Forest and one in Long Roach Wood. There was probably also a pair on Hen Cloud. Strangely, no young were noted later in the year. A pair of Tawny Owls were regularly disturbed from roosts in Back Forest, but almost certainly did not breed. A Tawny chick was squeaking

18

from the roadside plantation in front of Hen Cloud, and a parent was nearby on June 18. An Asio put up from Goldsitch side moors on April 15 was presumed Short-eared (which certainly were present in the Gib Tor area through the breeding season). On May 26 an Asio was disturbed from an undisclosed site, having been present but undetected throughout the season. Food Begging was heard from one Long-eared chick, still apparently in its nest, at dusk that evening, and later 3 fledged but still downy young were found, with one parent in attendance. Little Owls bred in Pheasants Clough, but were not recorded strictly within the study area. Though clear views were not obtained what was fairly certainly a Nightjar, presumably on migration, was disturbed three times in succession in Long Roach Wood on July 15. Swif ts regularly hunted over The Roaches, presumably coming from Leek. Green Woodpeckers probably bred in Grad Bach Wood and "yaffling" was heard from Back Forest so the species evidently was present in the neighbourhood, though not regularly recorded. Great Spotted Woodpeckers were recorded only twice; no drumming was heard, and they were surely absent during the breeding season. Skylarks were surprisingly scarce, with only three males along Back Forest moor, including one over the western fields; and about seven on the Roaches, mainly the grassier fields on Goldsitch side. An additional male sang over Shawside. A party of 12 Swallows and 1 House Mart in resting in an old rowan near Roach End on May 26 had perhaps recently arrived from the south. At least one pair of swallows nested at Shaw Cottage, and swallows regularly hunted over both Back Forest and Roaches moorlands. House Martins were less numerous and less regular. Grey Wagtai ls probably bred; one was recorded at the River Dane/Black Brook confluence on April 29. Tree Pipits had arrived on April 29 and established 8 territories on Back Forest, mostly along the moorland edge of the woodland. Only once was one recorded in Long Roach Wood, and presumably did not breed, but there was one singing in the Hen Cloud woodland. M e a d o w Pipits were undoubtedly the commonest birds in the area, but their numbers and the non-persistence of their singing made them impossible to census satisfactorily. The suggested figure of 96 territories, based on counts of singing males and pairs, is presented diffidently. They had barely started to arrive by April 8 and did not reach full strength until May 6. One clutch of three and four of four eggs were recorded in late May and by June 10 many were behaving anxiously, and presumably had young in the nest. Newly fledged young were apparent by July 1 5, when about 63 birds were counted on Back Forest moor, and 170 on the Roaches. There were probably two Dipper territories on the River Dane alongside Back Forest, but not censused. Wrens were mostly associated with the scrub areas of Back Forest, with probably 14 territories, possibly 16; only 4 territories in Long Roach Wood and perhaps 3 on Hen Cloud. Hedge

19

Sparrow was not common, with only one territory in Back Forest, perhaps 3 in the area of Long Roach Wood, and one in Hen Cloud woodland. Robins are apparently absent in winter, but began to move back about April 8, when only one male was singing in Back Forest. The population increased to 9 (possibly 11) territories there, with two more in Long Roach Wood and one on Hen Cloud. Redstarts did not arrive until May 13; there were certainly 6, perhaps 7, territories established in Back Forest, and one nest hole was found. Of two singing males on each of Hen Cloud and Long Roach Wood, one on Hen Cloud was not certainly established, and in Long Roach Wood either one failed early or there was an additional transitory territory. Whinchats were almost overlooked, not being recorded until June 3; certainly two, probably three, territories were established along the southern boundary path of The Roaches, and there was probably an additional pair on Shawside. Wheatears were not recorded during the breeding season, except for some tail feathers at a long-eared owl roost, but family parties were seen at Roach End and Hen Cloud. Ring Ouzels proved elusive, and the only certain territory in the study area was on Hen Cloud. One around the southern end of The Roaches on April 8 was not seen there again. Nearby, there were probably 2 territories on Gradbach Hill, near Cloughead; one on Allgreave Hill; one at Gib Tor; and possibly one near Withers; but song from this species tended to be erratic. On August 5 six flew north over Long Roach Wood, presumably put up from feeding on bilberries; this was the only real indication of a pre-migratory group, though in previous years a dozen or more have been seen on the bilberries and rowans. Blackbirds were much the commonest large thrush, but were more numerous in Long Roach Wood than Back Forest; this may reflect the proximity to good feeding pastures, and implies that the nest cover provided by the woods is their main attraction. Blackbirds took advantage of the bilberry crop even if ring ouzels were not noticed doing so; 12 were put out of a 50 yards stretch of bilberry above Lud's Church and about 12 were in Long Roach Wood. There was one Song Thrush territory in Back Forest, and a pair were feeding young in Hen Cloud woodland; another pair probably bred just off the study area at Mount Pleasant, in front of Roach Quarries. Mistle Thrushes were more evident, but no more numerous, with two territories in Back Forest and one on the Roaches. A nest was found in Back Forest, whilst the largest party seen was 1 7 or more at Lower Roach End on September 23. Wintering thrushes also use the study area: at dusk flocks of 12 and c60 Fieldfares were watched going to roost on the moor of The Roaches. Wi l low Warblers were by far the most numerous warbler, and probably the second most numerous species, after Meadow Pipits. They were particularly associated with the areas of birch scrub of Back Forest, and on

20

arrival were feeding on birch aphids. In Long Roach Wood (which has no birch scrub) they occurred in stunted conifer scrub. An optimistic male was singing from the isolated Rhododendron in the Goldsitch side fields. In Back Forest, nests were found with seven eggs and 4 nestlings. No Wood Warblers or Chiff-chaffs were recorded. A Grasshopper Warbler, singing from tall heather near Back Forest, was presumably on passage and a single Whitethroat singing in Back Forest may also have been itinerant. Goldcrests proved difficult to census, but were probably genuinely scarce, as their song is conspicuous enough; 3 or 4 territories in Back Forest and 1 in Hen Cloud woodland were registered, but in Long Roach Wood, the only certain records were single males singing on two occasions. Spotted Flycatchers held one territory on Hen Cloud and succeeded in producing at least 2 fledglings. In Back Forest, none were noticed before mid-July when one was singing near the Gradbach footbridge. This bird was later "anxious" and presumably had a nest with young. Mixed flocks of Tits were extremely conspicuous outside the breeding season; flocks up to 4 0 and once 60 being recorded; these were usually in birch scrub, sometimes in the forest canopy, of Back Forest, and regularly included Blue, Great, Coal and Long-tailed Tits. Marsh/Wil low Tits, Goldcrests, Willow-warblers, Treecreepers and Chaffinches often joined these. In the breeding season, tits were much scarcer. One pair of Long-tailed Tits nested in the gorse of the western fields and one Great Tit and probably only two Blue Tit territories were established in the western end of Back Forest. There were certainly two Coal Tit territories in the old conifers of Back Forest, and another in the Hen Cloud woodland. Marsh/Wi l low Tits were recorded (a pair in each case) once in Back Forest and once in Long Roach Wood, but my inability to distinguish these on either sound or appearance might have contributed to overlooking them. Nuthatch was recorded only once, outside the breeding season, but Tree Creepers, possibly overlooked during the breeding season were regularly present in Tit flocks and one was in Gradbach Wood on May 1. One male Yellowhammer held a territory in the scrub below Castle Cliff Rocks, and a second one was also singing. There was another territory in the gorse area of the Western fields. A pair of Reed Buntings probably bred successfully in the area of Juncus below Rock Hall. The finches proved most elusive, and none of the figures is really satisfactory, except for the Chaffinch, with 14 territories spread between the three lots of coniferous woodland. Linnets proved to be extremely irregular in their presence and location, with the exception of the two males which sang at the south end of The Roaches. Compared with other passerines, they arrived late, being recorded for the first time in late May at both The Roaches and Back Forest; this was probably related to the growth at that time of the bracken, or to the start of flowering of grasses. A male was flushed from a nest with five eggs in heather on Hen Cloud,

21

but this was later found destroyed. A pair of Twite was present, and the male singing, in the same area on May 21, but was not seen again. A Redpoll was noted only once, a male singing, and Goldfinches twice, single males on each occasion. Bullfinches are regularly present in the Back horest birch scrub outside the breeding season in family flocks or parties, but were absent during it. One pair of Starlings nested in a rock crevice at the Roaches and about 15 adults and 25 newly fledged young were seen on the fields between The Roaches and Hen Cloud. Jays were, predictably, rather elusive, but were seen and heard in both Back Forest and Long Roach Wood. It is probable that a pair bred, successfully, in each of these. The only pair of Magpies regularly enountered seemed to breed just off the area in Pheasants Clough, but regularly visited the Rock Hall area. Jackdaws were undoubtedly the commonest crows, but numbers were difficult to assess; 2 or 3 pairs nested in Five Clouds, at least 1 pair, probably more, in the Roaches themselves, 2 pairs in Hen Cloud, but the main colony, strictly just outside the study area, was of about 25 pairs in the cliffs of the River Dane opposite the western end of Back Forest. 42 were feeding with 2 rooks near Roach End on August 5 and a flock of 80-100 were on the bilberry/pasture area north-west of Five Clouds on July 15. One pair of Carrion Crows, at least, had a territory in Back Forest, but others may have been overlooked.

Reference Yalden D W 1974. The status of Golden Plover (Pluvialis apricarius) and Dunlin (Calidris alpina) in the Peak District. Naturalist 930:81-91.

Table I Bird Territories 1978 Numbers = estimates of territories p = present during the year, pp = ? passage; pw = winter, non-breeding: pn = ? bred nearby. * = site not disclosed.

Back Forest Roaches Hen Cloud Total

Mallard 1 1 Canada Goose pn(1) — — — ( 1 ) Sparrow Hawk 1 — — 1 Kestrel 1 1 — 2 Red Grouse 8 2 6 1 - 3 1 ) 3 '37(—42) Black Grouse pn, pw — — —

Partridge 2 pn — 2 Pheasant 2 — — 2 Corncrake PP — — —

Lapwing pn(2) 1 1 ( + 2 ) Golden Plover pn — — —

Curlew 2 (+3pn ) 1 ( + 1 pn) 1 4 ( + 4 ) Snipe pn pn — —

Woodcock pw — — —

22

Stock Dove 1 1 — 2 Wood Pigeon 6? 5? 4? 15? Cuckoo 2 1 ' ' " I - — . 4 - -Tawny O w l 1 — 1 2 Long-Eared Owl — — — 1* Short-Eared Owl — pn — —

Little O w l — pn — —

Nightjar — PP — —

Swift — pn — —

Green Woodpecker 1 — — 1 Greater Spotted Woodpecker pw — — —

Skylark 3 7 ( + 1 ) — 10( + 1) Swa l low pn pll = —

House Mart in — pn — —

Grey W a g t a i l pn — — —

Tree Pipit 8 — 1 9 M e a d o w Pipit c32 c 5 4 10 c 9 6 Dipper pn — — —

W r e n 14(?16) 4 3 21 ( - 2 3 ) Hedge Sparrow 1 3 1 5 Robin 9<—11) 2 1 12(—14) Redstart 6(—7) , 2 2 1 0 ( - 1 1 ) Whinchat — 3 ( + 1 ) — 3( + 1) W h e a t e a r pn pn — —

Ring Ouzel pn 1 1 Blackbird 3 6 1 10 Fieldfare — pw — —

Redwing — pw — —

Song Thrush 1 1 1 3 Mistle Thrush 2 1 0 3 Grasshopper Warbler PP — — —

White throat pp? — — —

Wi l low Warbler 2 6 9 5 4 0 Goldcrest 3 — 1 4 Spotted Flycatcher 1 — 1 2 Long-tailed Tit 1 — — 1 Wi l low Tit? 1 1 — 2 Great Ti t 1 — — 1 Blue Tit 2 — — 2 Coal Tit 2 — 1 3 Nuthatch pw — — —

Tree Creeper pw, pn? — — —

Yellow Hammer 2 — — 2 Reed Bunting — 1 — 1 Chaffinch 8 3 3 14 Goldfinch pn? — — —

Redpoll pn? — — —

Twite — — 1? 1? Linnet 2 2 4 8 Bullfinch pw — — —

Starling — 1 — 1 Jay 1 1 — 2 Magpie — pn — —

Jackdaw c 2 5 4 + 2 31 + Carrion Crow 1 — — 1

DrD WValden

23

Kestrels in the Birmingham Area The Kestrel has been utilising urban habitats since at least the 1 930s, but the species has become a relatively common sight in cities over the last 20 years or so. Birmingham is no exception, and a survey has bfsen carried out to try to establish the true status of the species. The study area is Birmingham, Solihull, West Bromwich and Smethwick. Table I shows that in 1978, 29 nest sites were found in the district, and breeding was actually proved at 22 of these. It can be seen that Kestrels were particularly successful around the City Centre and in the older industrialised areas, such as Aston and Smethwick. There are at least three requirements before any bird can successfully nest in a densely populated city such as Birmingham. There must be sufficient food available, there must be a suitable nest site and the bird must be capable of adjusting to a life in close proximity to man. In the case of Kestrels, all three requirements are met. Abundant food appears to be available for Kestrels in Birmingham. Unlike their rural counterparts, who often rely largely on small mammals, especially voles, urban Kestrels regularly kill small birds up to the size of Blackbirds, but in particular House Sparrows. Often such prey is taken in a manner similar to that of the Sparrowhawk, and there are numerous accounts of Kestrels swooping down onto bird tables in Birmingham and taking a Sparrow or Blue Tit. Pellet analysis and observations show that insects, earthworms, mice, etc. are also taken. One pair of Kestrels in Selly Oak prey heavily on frogs, especially in the spring. Kestrels have adapted to a wide variety of nest sites, and this is well illustrated in the Birmingham area. Four of the nests found in 1978 were in trees—one in a hole in a beech, the remaining three in old crows' nests. Eight pairs of Kestrels used church spires and towers, and often a church may be the only reasonable nest site available in the more modern residential suburbs. The most common nest site was on commercial and industrial buildings, where 14 pairs were found; the birds favoured holes in walls, especially old ventilation shafts. At only one site was the nest completely open to the elements. This nest was on a narrow ledge, near the top of a 40m water tower at a hospital. Four eggs were laid in a nest on an empty semi-detached house in Acocks Green, but two subsequently disappeared and the nest was abandoned. The most likely culprits were the local pair of Carrion Crows. Often the nests are surprisingly close to busy roads—in two cases only 7m above the footpath, but the most extreme example of the Kestrels' tolerance of disturbance was at a site in a brewery. The birds tolerated scaffolding being erected against the nest building while incubating, and then the eggs were removed from the nest hole for a short time while the aperture was painted. The eggs were then replaced, and within a few minutes the female had returned to continue the incubation. The scaffolding remained for the rest of the breeding season, and there was

24

much unavoidable disturbance by bricklayers and painters, but nevertheless, by mid-July five chicks had successfully left the nest. In 1978, 33 Kestrel nestlings were ringed at 7 nest sites in llie Birmingham area. Table 2 gives details of 6 of these birds that have so far been recovered. The two nestlings ringed at Witton were from the same brood of five. Of interest are the recoveries from Barnsley and from Kildale in North Yorkshire; both are movements to the NNE, which is unusual in late summer, and both illustrate that Kestrels are capable of quite long movements within a few weeks of leaving the nest. The bird ringed at West Bromwich and found dead at Oldbury had been shot. Although 29 nest sites were recorded in 1978, It is probable lhal Ihe true number is somewhat higher since relatively little data is available from some parts of the area, (e.g. Solihull and East Birmingham). Also, nestling Kestrels are, at times, remarkably inconspicuous, and nests have doubtless been missed, even in well-surveyed areas. A Kestrel's nest in the ventilator in the gents' toilet at a factory in Aston went completely un-noticed by the occupants, for instance. Whether the versatile Kestrel will continue to increase in the Birmingham area is questionable, but the species is undoubtedly widespread throughout the urban areas of the West Midlands, and there is evidence that the breeding success compares favourably with that of Kestrels in many rural habitats. My thanks are due to N J Speak, S Dodd, S Cooper and C Griffiths for help in the field. I would also like to thank the numerous people who have provided information or otherwise given their assistance.

Table I: Kestrel Nests in Birmingham Area, 1978

Breeding Proved Breeding Suspected Location No. of Sites Location No. of Sites

Birmingham Erdington 1 City Centre 3 Handsworth

Kings Norton 1 W o o d 1 Aston 2 Edgbaston 2 Witton 2 Aston 1 Kings Heath 1 Walmley 1 Selly Oak 1 Harborne 1 Moseley 1 Northfield 1 Hockley 2 Edgbaston 1 Smethwick 2 West

Bromwich 1 Acocks Green 1 Handsworth 1 Erdington 1 Little Aston 1

Total 22 Total 7

25

Table 2: Recoveries of Kestrel nestlings ringed in the Birmingham Area in 1978 EB 9 3 1 5 3 Pull 0 6 . 0 6

X 24 .07 EB 9 3 1 5 5 Pull 0 6 . 0 6

X 05 ,08 . EB 9 3 1 4 9 Pull 12.06

X 0 8 . 0 3 EH 4 2 8 0 1 Pull 16 .06

+ 0 2 . 0 2 EH 4 2 8 0 6 Pull 1 7 . 0 6

X 0 1 . 0 8 EH 4 2 8 1 4 Pull 23 .06

X 23 .10

.78 Witton, Birmingham 78 Little Addington, Kettering (Northants)

.78 Witton, Birmingham 78 Barnslpy (Yorks) W.R. .78 Hockley, Birmingham 79 Minworth. Sutton Coldfield (Warks)

.78 West Bromwich 7 9 Oldbury (West Midlands)

.78 near Little Aston (Staffs) 78 Lonsdale, Kildale (Yorks) N R.

.78 Smethwick (Staffs)

.78 Kirtling (Cambs)

85km ESE

125km N N t

10km ENE

(local)

2 2 0 k m NNE

165km E

G V Pike

26

N e w c a I S toke

.U t t oxe ie r

|Wolverhan^ton • Suiion'

es?iB* . . Nuneaton

m m g h a m ^ •jStgur̂ ridgj

Coven t r y

l inster

nsgrove

Redd tch' yVarwick'

j rcester St ra t ford

Ma lve rn ' lEveshi

27

1978 Bird Record Localities The following alphabetical list for each county gives the grid reference of all localities mentioned in the Report. The accompanying map shows every locality for which a record was submitted in 19 78 Warwickshire Alvecote SK 2 5 0 4 Ansty SP 4 0 8 3 Arbury Park SP 3 3 8 9 Arley SP 2 8 9 0 Arrow SP 0 8 5 6

Barford SP 2 7 6 0 Barton SP 1 0 5 1 Bascote SP 4 0 6 3 Bearley SP 1 7 6 0 Bidford-on-Avon SP 1051 Birches Wood SP 2 8 7 4 Birdingbury SP 4 3 6 8 Bodymoor Heath (see

Kingsbury W P ) Bramcote SP 4 1 8 8 Brandon Marsh SP 3 8 7 5 Brinklow SP 4 3 7 9 Bubbenhall SP 3 6 7 2 Burnthurst Wood SP 3 8 7 1 Burton Dassett SP 3 9 5 1 Burton Hastings SP 4 1 8 9 Bushwood SP 1 7 6 8

Cathiron SP 4 6 7 8 Charlecote SP 2 6 5 6 Chesterton SP 3 5 5 8 Clifford Chambers SP 1 9 5 2 Coleshill SP 2 0 8 9 Compton Verney SP 3 1 5 2 Coombe Abbey SP 4 0 7 9 Coton SP 2 1 9 4

Draycote Water SP 4 6 6 9 Dunchurch SP 4 8 7 1

Earlswood SP 1 1 7 4 Eathorpe SP 3 9 6 9

Ettington SP 2 6 4 8

Fillongley S P 2 8 8 7

Griff SP 3 5 8 8

Hams Hall (see Ladywalk) Hartshill SP 3 2 9 4 Haselor SP 1 2 5 7

llmington SP 2 1 4 3

Kingsbury W a t e r Park SP 2 0 9 6

Kings Newnham SP 4 5 7 7

Ladywalk SP 2 0 9 2 Lea Marston SP 2 0 9 3 Leamington Spa SP 3 1 6 5 Lillington SP 3 2 6 7 Little Packington SP 2 0 8 5 Long Itchington SP 4 1 6 5 Long Lawford SP 4 7 7 5 Long Marston SP 1 5 4 8

Marston Doles SP 4 6 5 8 Maxstoke SP 2 3 8 6 Middleton SP 1 8 9 8

Napton SP 4 6 6 1 Newbold Comyn SP 3 3 6 5 Newbold-on-Avon SP 4 8 7 7 Nuneaton SP 3 6 9 1

Oakley W o o d SP 3 0 5 9 Offchurch SP 3 5 6 5 Old Arley SP 2 8 9 0

Packington SP 2 2 8 4 Preston Bagot SP 1 7 6 5 Princethorpe SP 4 0 7 0 Print W o o d SP 3 8 6 4 Priors Hardwick SP 4 7 5 6

Radford Semele SP 3 4 6 4 Rough Hill W o o d SP 0 5 6 3 Rugby SP 5 0 7 5 Ryton Gravel Pit SP 3 7 7 2

Seckington SK 2 6 0 7 Sherbourne SP 2 6 6 1 Shottery SP 1 8 5 4 Shustoke SP 2 2 9 1 Sitnh Wnnrl («;PP I ?rlywalk) Snitterfield SP 2 1 5 9 Southam SP 4 1 6 1 Stockton SP 4 3 6 3 Stratford-on-Avon SP 2 0 5 4 Studley SP 0 7 6 3

Temple Grafton SP 1 2 5 4

Ufton SP 3 8 6 1

Wal ton SP 2 8 5 2 Wappenbury SP 3 7 7 0 Warwick SP 2 8 6 4 Wasperton SP 2 6 5 8 Wate r Orton SP 1 7 9 1 W e I ford " SP 1 4 5 2 Whateley SP 2 2 9 9 Whitacre Heath SP 2 1 9 2 Willey SP 4 9 8 4 Wi lmcote SP 1 6 5 8 Wolston SP 4 1 7 5 Wolverton SP 2 0 6 2

Worcestershire Alvechurch S P 0 2 7 2 I Beckford Aston Mill SO 9 4 3 4 I Belbroughton

SO 9 7 3 5 I Bewdley SO 7 8 7 5 SO 91 77 I Bittell S P 0 1 74

28

Blakedown SO 8 8 7 8 Hewell Park SP 0 0 6 9 Salwarpe SO 8 7 6 2 Bordesley SP 0 4 6 9 High Green SO 8 7 4 5 Severn Stoke SO 8 5 4 4 Bredon SO 91 3 6 High wood S O 6 5 6 6 Shakenhurst SO 6 7 7 3 Bredon Hill SO 9 5 3 9 Hillditch Coppice Sherrifs Lench SP 0 1 4 9 Broadmoor W o o d Hindlip SO 87 5 8 Shortwood Broadwas SO 7 5 5 5 Holt SO 8 3 6 2 Roughs SP 0 1 7 0 Broome SO 9 0 7 8 Holy Cross SO 9 2 7 8 Sinton SO 8 1 6 0 Bushley SO 8 7 3 4 Hopwood SP 0 3 7 5 Sling SO 9 4 7 7

Horseley Hills SO 8 0 8 0 Spring Grove SO 8 0 7 5 Calcot Hill SO 9 4 7 8 Hurcott SO 8 5 7 7 Stakenbridge SO 8 8 7 9 Captain's Pool Stour Hill SO 8 3 7 3 Chaddesley W o o d SO 91 73 11 lev SO 9 8 8 1 Stourport SO 8 1 7 1 Churchill SO 8 7 7 9 Island Pool SO 8 5 8 0 Strensham so 9 0 3 9 Cleeve Prior SP 0 8 4 9 Clent SO 9 3 7 9 Kemerton SO 9 4 3 7 so 9 8 6 8 Cofton Hackett SP 0 0 7 5 Kidderminster SO 8 3 7 6 Tardebigge so 9 8 6 8

Cofton Reservoir SP 0 0 7 5 Knowles Mill (see Thicknall so 9 0 7 9

Conderton SO 9 6 3 7 Dowles Brook) Thorngrove so 8 2 6 0

Craycombe S P 0 0 4 7 Kyre SO 6 2 6 3 Throckmorton so 9 8 4 9

Croome SO 8 8 4 4 Kyre

Trench W o o d so 9 2 5 8

Crowle SO 9 2 5 6 Lenchwick SP 0 3 4 7 Trimpley so 7 7 7 8

Lickey Hills SO 9 9 7 5 Defford SO 9 1 4 3 Little Malvern SO 7 7 4 0 Uckingham Dodford SO 9 3 7 3 Longdon SO 8 3 3 6 Upton-on-Severn so 8 5 4 0 Dowles Brook SO 7 6 7 6 Upton Warren so 9 3 6 7 Droitwich SO 8 9 6 3 Malvern S O 7 7 4 5

Upton Warren

Martin Evesham SP 0 3 4 3 , Hussingtree SO 8 8 5 9 Walton Hill so 9 4 7 9 Eymore W o o d SO 7 7 7 9 Menith W o o d SO 7 0 6 9 Warndon so 8 8 5 6

Monkwood SO 8 0 6 0 Waseley Hills so 9 7 7 7 Far Forest SO 7 2 7 5 ' Weatheroak SP 0 5 7 4 Flyford Flavell SO 9 8 5 4 ; Nafford S O 9 4 4 1 West Hagley so 9 0 8 0 Frankley SP 0 0 8 0 Northwick Marsh SO 8 3 5 7 Westwood Park so 8 7 6 3

Whitt ington so 8 7 5 2 Gal lows Green SO 9 3 6 2 Oakley SO 8 9 6 0 Wickhamford SP 0 6 4 1 Goosehill W o o d SO 9 3 6 0 Ombersley SO 8 4 6 3 Wilden so 8 2 7 2 Grimley SO 8 3 6 0 Wildmoor so 9 6 7 5

Pershore SO 9 4 4 5 Wissetts Wood so 6 7 7 2 Habberley ' SO 8 0 7 7 Pipers Hill SO 9 5 6 5 Wit ley Park so 7 7 6 4 Hal low SO 8 2 5 8 Pirton SO 8 7 4 7 Woodnorton SP 0 1 4 7 Hanbury SO 9 6 6 3 Pulley S O 8 9 6 0 Worcester so 8 5 5 4 Hartlebury Wychbold so 9 2 6 5

C o m m o n SO 8 2 7 0 Ribbesford SO 7 8 7 3 Wyre Forest so 7 4 7 5

Staffordshire Abbots Bromley SK 0 8 2 4 Baggeridge SO 8 9 9 2 Beaudesert Old Acton Trussell SJ 9 3 1 8 Barlaston SJ 8 9 3 8 Park SK 0 3 1 3 Alrewas SK 1 7 1 5 Barton-under- Belvide SJ 8 6 1 0 Aqualate SJ 7 7 2 0 Needwood SK 1 8 1 8 Berry Hill SJ 7 9 3 9

29

Biddulph Moor SJ 9 0 5 8 Hanley SJ 8 7 4 7 Blackbrook Valley SK 0 0 6 4 Harriseahead SJ 8 6 5 6 Blithfield SK 0 6 2 3 Haughton SJ 8 6 2 0 Bradley SJ 8 8 1 7 Himley SO 8 8 9 1 Bldllbluil SK 2 1 2 0 1 lixon SK 0 0 2 5 Brewood SJ 8 8 0 8 Hockley SK 2 2 0 0 Bridgetown SJ 9 7 0 8 Hollinhay W o o d Brindley Heath SK 0 0 1 5 Brocton SJ 9 6 1 9 Ingestre SJ 9 7 2 4 Burntwood SK 0 6 0 9 Burton-on-Trent SK 2 4 2 3 Jacksons Coppice SJ 7 9 3 0

Cannock Chase SK 0 0 1 7 Keele SJ 8 0 4 5 Cannock Reservoir Kings Bromley SK 1 2 1 6

(see Chasewater) Kinver SO 8 3 8 3 Chasetown SK 0 4 0 8 Knighton SJ 7 4 2 7 Chasewater SK 0 3 0 7 Knypersley SJ 8 9 5 5 Cheadle SK 0 1 4 3 Chillington SJ 8 6 0 6 Lapley SJ 8 7 1 2 Clayton Hall SJ 8 5 4 3 Lichfield SK 1 1 0 9 Clewley SJ 9 0 0 3 Little Aston SK 0 9 0 0 Clifton Campville SK 2 5 1 0 Little Haywood SK 0 0 2 1 Coombes Valley SK 0 0 5 2 Longsdon SJ 9 5 5 4 Copmere SJ 8 0 2 9

Longsdon

Maer SJ 7 9 3 8 Dane Bridge SJ 9 6 6 5 Marston SJ 8 3 1 4 Doxey (see Tillington) Marston Brook Pools Drayton Bassett SK 1 9 0 0 Merryton Low SK 0 3 BO Dunstall SK 1 8 2 0 Moors Gorse SK 0 2 1 5

Morridge SK 0 2 5 7

Elford SK 1 8 1 0 Enville SO 8 3 8 6 •Newcastle-Under-

SJ 8 4 4 5 Essington SJ 9 6 0 3 Lyme SJ 8 4 4 5

Farley SK 0 6 4 4 Oakamoor SK 0 5 4 4

Farley SK 0 6 4 4 Oldacre Valley SJ 9 7 1 8 Fisherwick SK 1 7 0 9

Oldacre Valley SJ 9 7 1 8

Flash SK 0 2 6 7 SO 8 2 9 9 Ford Green SJ 8 9 5 1

Pattingham SO 8 2 9 9

Fradley SK 1 5 1 3 Penkridge Perton

SJ SO

9 2 1 4 8 5 9 8

Pod more SJ 7 8 3 5 Gailey SJ 9 3 1 0 Pool Hall SO 8 5 9 7 Gib Tor SK 0 2 6 4 Prestwood SO 8 6 8 6 Goldsitch SK 0 1 6 4 Gradbach SJ 9 9 6 5 Rickerscote SJ 9 3 2 0 Gun Hill SJ 9 7 6 1 Roaches, The SK 0 0 6 3

Roach End SJ 9 9 6 4 Hademore SK 1 7 0 8 Rough Knipe SK 0 0 4 9 Hanch Reservoir SK 1 0 1 3 Rudyard SJ 9 4 5 9 Hanchurch SJ 8 4 4 1 Rugeley SK 0 4 1 8

Salt SJ 9 5 2 7 Sandon SJ 9 4 2 9 Seabridge SJ 8 3 4 3 Seisdon SO 8 3 9 4 Seven Springs CK 0 0 2 0 Shenstone SK 1 0 0 4 Sherbrook Valley SJ 9 8 1 8 Shutt Green SJ 8 7 0 9 Stafford SJ 9 2 2 3 Stoke-on-Trent SJ 8 7 4 5 Stone SJ 9 0 3 4 Stretton Hall SJ 8 8 1 1 Swal low Moss SK 0 6 6 0 Swindon SO 8 6 9 0

Tamworth SK 2 0 0 3 Teddesley Park SJ 9 4 1 5 Thorpe

Constantine SK 2 5 0 8 Tillington SJ 9 0 2 4 Tittesworth SJ 9 9 5 9 Tixall SJ 9 7 2 2 Trentham

Gardens SJ 8 6 4 0 Trescott so 8 4 9 7 Trysull so 8 5 9 4 Tutbury SK 2 1 2 9

Uttoxeter SK 0 9 3 3

Wandon SK 0 3 1 4 Water Eaton SJ 9 0 1 1 Westlands SJ 8 3 4 4 Weston-under-

Lizard SJ 8 0 1 1 Westport SJ 8 5 5 0 Wheaton Aston SJ 8 5 1 2 Whiston SJ 891 4 Whi tmore Heath SJ 7 9 4 0 Whitt ington S K 1 6 0 8 Whitt ington Sewage

Farm SO 8 5 8 2 Wolf Edge (see Flash) Wombourn SO 8 6 9 2 Wychnor S K 1 7 1 6

Yoxall SK 1 4 1 9

30

W e s t Midlands Aldridge Aston

Barston Bartley Bell Green Berkswell Bilston Birmingham City

Cen l te Bordesley Green

Coventry Cradley Heath

Dorridge Dudley

Edgbaston Edgbaston

Reservoir Erdington

Foleshill

Gornal W o o d Grove End

SK 0 5 0 0 SP 0 8 8 8

S P 2 0 7 8 . SP 0 0 8 1 SP 3 5 8 1 SP 2 4 7 9 SO 9 4 9 6

SP 0 6 8 6 SP 0 9 8 6

SP 3 3 7 9 SO 9 4 8 6

S P 1 6 7 5 SO 9 4 9 0

SP 0 5 8 4

SP 0 4 8 6 S P 1 1 9 1

SP 3 3 7 8

SO 9 1 9 0 S P 1 6 9 5

Halesowen SO 9 6 8 3 Hall Green SP 1 0 8 1 Hampton-in-Arden SP 2 0 8 0 Harborne S P 0 2 8 4

Hawkesley Estate Hockley Heath Hydes Road\

Pool

Keresley Kings Heath Kings Norton Kingswinford \ Knowle

Longbridge

Marston Green Mercote Meriden Minworth

SP 0 4 7 7 S P 1 5 7 2

SO 9 9 9 4

SP 3 1 8 3 SP 0 7 8 1 SP 0 4 7 8 SO 8 8 8 8 SP 1 8 7 6

SP 0 0 7 7

SP 1 7 8 5 > SP 2 2 8 0

SP 2 4 8 2 S P 1 6 9 2

National Exhibition Centre

Nechells N e w Invention Northfield Norton

Ocker Hill Oldbury

Pedmore Penn. Pensnett

SP 1 9 8 3 SP 0 9 8 9 SJ 9 6 0 1 SP 0 2 7 9 SO 8 9 8 2

SO 9 7 9 3 SO 9 8 8 9

SO 9 1 8 2 SO 8 9 9 5 SO 9 1 8 8

Quarry Bank SO 93bt>

Radford SP 3 2 8 0 Rotton Park (see

Edgbaston Reservoir) Rubery SO 9 9 7 7

Saltley SP 0 9 8 7 Sandwell Valley SP 0 2 9 1 Sedgley SO 9 I 93 Shirley SP 1 1 7 8 Short Heath SJ 9 8 0 1 Smethwick SP 0 2 8 8 Solihull SP 1 5 7 9 Stourbridge SO 9 0 8 4 Sutton Coldfield SP 1 2 9 6 Sutton Park SP 0 9 9 7

Tettenhall SJ 8 7 0 0

Vale Hall (see Edgbaston)

Wall Heath Walsall Walsgrave Wednesfield Willenhall Witton Wolverhampton Woodgate Valley

Yardley Wood

SO 8 8 8 9 SP 0 1 9 8 SP 3 8 8 1 SJ 9 4 0 0 SO 9 6 9 8 SP 0 8 9 1 SO 9 1 9 8 SP 0 0 8 3

SP 0 9 7 9

Classified Notes The sequence followed is that of the "British Birds" List of Birds of the Western Palearctic (1978) which follows Professor K H Voous' "List of Recent Holarctic Bird Species" (1977). The average arrival and departure dates given for migrants are based respectively on the first and last dates (excluding freaks) shown in the Annual Reports up to 1978. Figures in brackets denote the number of years on which the averages are based. In tables — denotes no count available. See page 117 for key to contributors.

31

Red-throated Diver Warks A bird in summer plumage at Draycote from June 17 PJB, PJF,

TWL to 20; the first June occurrence in the Club's records. Worcs One at Bittell on February 24 and 25 KGC et at.

Black-throated Diver Warks Present at Draycote from January 14 PJB to March 9, with two

between January 22 and February 5. The second locality record, both involving two birds.

Great Northern Diver Warks Overwintering birds at Draycote increased to four in late January,

three remaining until early April, two until early May and the final bird until May 14 many observers. Later in the year a single bird occurred from November 4 JAA, ARD to December 16.

W Mid One at Edgbaston Reservoir from March "[OARMB to 18.

Diver sp WMid A diver at Bartley on March 19 and 20 JD, AWH, MSS et al was

identified as a Great Northern by some observers but as a Black-throated by others.

Little Grebe Numbers up to ten reported at several localities.

Warks Bred at Alvecote, Bramcote, Brandon, Bushwood Hall, Hartshill, Kingsbury W P, Ladywalk, Leamington Spa and Packington. Maxima included 70 at Kingsbury W P on September 3, 16 at Alvecote on September 24, 30 at Draycote on November 1 9, 1 9 at Hartshill on December 29 and up to 20 at Leamington Spa.

Worcs Breeding reported at Bittell, Droitwich, Ombersley, Pulley, Thorngrove, Upton Warren and probably at Brakemill. 14 during August was the highest count at Bittell and ten on October 29 at Upton Warren.

Staffs Bred at Blithfield, Farley, Hanch, Keele, Kings Bromley, Longsdon and Tixall. 40 noted at Blithfield in mid-September and 12 at Stafford during December.

WMid Bred successfully at Meriden, Minworth and Edgbaston Park, where up to ten during autumn, while isolated reports came from Aldridge, Berkswell, Edgbaston Reservoir and Solihull.

32

Great Crested Grebe Monthly maxima at principal waters:

J F M A M J J A S 0 N D

Alvecote 1 0 12 2 0 2 2 2 0 2 3 2 5 2 8 23 13 10 4 Draycote 1 1 4 1 6 0 6 7 1 0 0 2 2 3 8 5 0 2 0 IB 5 0 6 0 1 0 9 Earlswood 3 7 2 8 2 8 2 6 2 4 3 9 3 2 25 2 5 2 0 5 Kingsbury W P 2 5 2 6 2 2 13 — 15 2 4 17 12 14 2 6 Shustoke 15 18 7 3 — — 4 — 17 2 2 44 4 2

Bittell 11 2 14 6 2 2 2 4 3 10 9 W e s t w A M 10 31 ZO 2 0 — — 1 1 10 3 0

Belvide 5 2 12 6 8 11 10 13 14 3 4 27 2 0 Blithfield 1 2 0 2 0 0 1 4 0 1 0 0 8 0 1 2 0 150 1 5 0 1 0 0 5 5 72 1 0 0 Chasewater 11 B 18 — 15 — — 13 11 1 0 5 6

Bartley — 11 1 11 17 8 3 0 — 4 4 1 —

Warks At Alvecote six broods totalling 1 7 young were reared, while at least six pairs bred at Packington Park.

Worcs Successful breeding reported from Blakedown, Cofton, Captain's Pool, Hurcott, Upton Warren and Westwood. At Bittell, however, three nesting attempts all failed, while the first ever breeding attempt at Wilden was also unsuccessful.

Staffs Breeding reported from 12 localities: a total of about 85 young was reared including at least 40 at Blithfield and 11 at Rudyard. Isolated maxima involved 22 birds at Branston on March 8 and 21 at Kings Bromley on September 17.

W Mid Bred at Edgbaston Park, Meriden and Sutton Park. Up to ten birds at Edgbaston Reservoir in March.

Red-necked Grebe Warks One in breeding plumage at Draycote from May 6 PDH to 9, the

first May arrival in the Club's records.

Slavonian Grebe Worcs A bird at Bittell on April 12 AC, KGC, RFWH, MJi was the first at

the locality since 1948. WMid One at Bartley from February 24 to 2SAJH.AWH, BW.

Black-necked Grebe Warks Single birds at Draycote on May 6 PDH and September 8 PJF,

RCM, and at Kingsbury WP on October 1 5 CEJ, PKJ.

Fulmar W Mid One on the West Midlands side of Chasewater on May 1 GE was

the first for the locality and the thirteenth in the Club's area.

33

Manx Shearwater Warks An adult discovered at Wolverton on July 3 BRG was cared for

but died on 22. Staffs An immature found at Perton on September 25 was ringed and

released al Belvide on 30; it has subsequently been recovered, apparently, but details are not yet available BC, BD, DS. An injured bird observed on road at Himley on September 18 was unfortunately killed by a car before it could be rescued WJ.

WMid A bird found at Radford on September 16 died two days later CHP.

Storm Petrel Warks One at Draycote on September 17 PJB, PJF, GRH, JVH was the

eighth Club record.

Three records in an autumn which witnessed exceptional numbers on the coasts of Britain during late September and October gales. Other species of seabird also penetrated to the Midlands at this time.

Worcs One at Upton Warren on September 27 RANC, RAH, CFN. Staffs Birds at Blithfield on October 1 MJH and November 26 several

observers.

Cormorant Warks In the Tame Valley small numbers recorded irregularly during early

months but more than usual in November and December, with maxima of 14 at Kingsbury W P on November 23 and 6 at Ladywalk on November 19. Recorded intermittently during winter and spring at Alvecote, where maximum was 11 on January 22,

34

and at Draycote where up to four observed except for 1 6 on April 13. Six on Octoher 1 was the most recorded at Leamington Spa Reservoir. Single birds at Coombe on January 22, Ryton on December 10, and Brandon on May 6 and December 10.

Worcs Remains scarce in the county. Single birds at Bittell from May 3 to 13 and August 5 to 20, and three on November 28. Two flew NW over Upton Warren on May 21. One at Westwood on March 16, April 2 and October 23, Stourport on April 25 and Tardebigge on May 7.

Staffs Monthly maxima;

J F M A M J J A S 0 N D

Aqualate — 6 2 4 — — — — 1 12 18 2 6 Belvide 1 4 2 18 2 1 4 0 2 9 7 14 Blithfield 3 0 2 0 4 7 10 3 4 3 3 2 5 2 4 25 4 0 Kings Bromley 3 6 4 0 4 5 10 7 3 1 2 3 6 4 8 2 5 7 2

Maximum at Chasewater was 1 5 on January 14 and at Branston 11 in early October. Smaller numbers noted irregularly in winter at Burton, Copmere, Hanch, Knighton, Rugeley, Seabridge, Tittesworth and Trentham.

W Mid Singles at Bartley on May 2 and 3, August 4 and 20, November 28, and December 17 to 29. One at Edgbaston Reservoir on August 10.

Shag Small influxes in mid-September and late November, coinciding with arrivals of other seabirds.

Warks Increasingly regular at Draycote, where three arrived in mid-September (two subsequently died but one remained until end of month) JAA. PJB, RB et at, one on October 19 PJF and again on November 25 and 26 many observers. Two immatures were rescued from cooling towers at Hams Hall, where they arrived on September 10; one died but the other recovered and was released at Kingsbury WP where it was last seen on September 25 EAH, HTL.

Staffs Single birds^at Blithfield on January 29 GS and Westport Lake on September 16 PGB. Six immatures occurred at Himley from November 20 to 26 MJH, EGP, SMW.

W Mid One at Kingswinford on November 21 per EGP.

Night Heron Worcs One near Worcester from June 17 to 22 DE, GHG, AP, CW; the

third record for the Club's area and the first in Worcestershire since the 1870's.

35

Small, dumpy heron. In flight markedly paler than Grey Heron, wi th rounded wings and quicker wing beats giving impression of something between heron and owl. Very long, stiff crest extending two-thirds of way down back. Forehead nearly black but this colour lightened across mantle to slate grey (c.f. LBB Gull), finishing in t w o rounded lubes short of rump. Wings pale grey. Rest of plumage off-white, lightest under chin. Legs and feet between yellow and pink, looking different depending on light; toes extremely long. Bill dark at tip lightening to olive colour basally. Iris reddish. More active at dusk, but not especially crepuscular as mid-day feeding also noted. Perched in older branches just above water, occasionally higher. Movements slow but confident.

Little Egret Warks A bird at Brandon on May 29 JECB, BMCG, DJ was the seventh

in the Club's area, but only the third this century. All pure white egret. Flight heron-like, with slender neck held in 'S' shape, head retracted and legs trailing. Wings brogd and rounded. Two very long, narrow crest feathers hanging from nape; 'aigrettes' present but not immediately discernible, extending from scapulars over back and wings. Bill fine, black distally but dark greyish at base, particularly on lower mandible. Legs black. Prominent yellow feet.

Grey Heron Warks 22 pairs bred at Coombe and 14 pairs at another site in central

Warwickshire. 15 were counted at Draycote on November 4, 14 at Lea Marston on July 19, 12 at Ladywalk on September 1 5 and ten at Packington Park on September 16. Smaller numbers reported from Alvecote, Earlswood, Kingsbury W P, Middleton and Shustoke.

Worcs 14 pairs raised 31 young near Worcester but a single pair again failed at Westwood. Observed regularly at Bittell, with maximum of ten on December 25, and at Upton Warren, where seven on August 4. Small numbers reported at 18 other localities.

Staffs 51 nests at Aqualate, 8 at Chillington, 51 at Abbots Bromley, 19 at Gailey, 27 at Enville, five at Longsdon and a total of about six at four other sites. Maximum count at Blithfield was 31 on August 3 but few other concentrations reported. Ah apparently melanistic bird observed at Belvide on October 8.

WMid Maximum at Sandwell Valley was five on January 1 and at Meriden nine on July 23. One or two recorded intermittently at Bournville, Edgbaston Reservoir, Meriden, Minworth, Stonebridge and Woodgate Valley.

Mute Swan Maxima reported were:

Warks 125 at Alvecote on July 30; 17 at Draycote on October 29; 39 at Kingsbury W P on November 5 and up to 20 on River Leam during winter. An oiling incident on the River Tame affected at least 11 birds at Kingsbury during late February.

36

Staffs 26 at Westport on January 4; 68 on January 1 5 at Tamworth, where 34 birds were affected by the oil spillage in late February; 24 at Belvide in late July; 25 at Blithfield on August 26; 23 at Branston on October 1 and 42 at Chasewater on November 19.

Bewick's Swan Warks Seven recorded on March 5 and 33 the following day at Draycote,

where also occurred intermittently from November 13 to end of year, usually in small numbers but with 1 6 on November 30 and 14 on December 10, 26 and 31. On March 12 a herd of 27 flew over Kingsbury W P and Ladywalk, while at Leamington Spa four flew east on January 18 and two on February 21. A pair occurred at Shustoke on March 8 and single birds at Ladywalk on April 11 and Brandon from December 17 to 29. One at Alvecote on February 25 had been colour-marked at Slimbridge in December 1977.

Worcs 11 flew west over Upton Warren on January 1 5, while two arrived there on November 12. At Bittell single birds observed on January 20, October 28 and December 20. Five occurred at Pirton on January 1.

Staffs Recorded at Blithfield from January 1 to February 26 with 1 5 from February 11 to 19 and 17 on February 26; later in the year 19 appeared on October 29 and up to 13 between November 5 and 19. Six were at Rudyard Lake on January 1 with five remaining iip the Rudyard—Tittesworth—Longsdon area until February 5; a pair occurred in the same region from December 1 1 to 28. Nine flew over Westlands on January 2 and 25 over Kings Bromley on December 31. Four were at Belvide on February 12 while three which flew NW on November 12 were later seen at Aqualate. Five occurred at Tillington on January 5, a single at Tixall from December 9 to 16 and two at Chasewater on November 11 and 12 with four on November 19.

W Mid One at Bartley on January 1.

Swan sp Worcs Up to 22 on Avon floods near Bredon between March 29 and

April 11 were either Mute or Bewicks.

Whooper Swan Warks An oiled bird at Kingsbury W P from November 5 PDH, BLK, KAL

to 20 was joined by a pair on November 1 9 and 20 FB, VAB, EAH. Three at Draycote on December 28 were feeding in meadows to the west of the reservoir/3/7/Wfl, AJH.

37

Staffs The ten birds from 1977 remained in the Rudyard—Longsdon —Tittesworth area until February 11; a family party of eight returned to the same general area on November 13 and remained until the end of the year, with up to seven additional adults during the second half of December PGB. Two observed at Tillington on January 30 and February 28 AJD.

W Mid At Bartley a pair recorded on March 24 several observers and three immatures on November 5 AB, DF, MSS.

Pink-footed Goose Presumed feral birds observed with Canada Geese at following localities:

Worcs Holt Heath on February 28 and Bittell from August 26 to September 17.

Staffs Tittesworth on June 27.

White-fronted Goose Warks At Draycote five on February 19 JAA, PJB and two on November

30 JTB, KRF, RCM. One, presumed feral, at Ladywalk on March 30 RSA, KAL and then at Kingsbury W P until May 1 7, with two on April 27. Three feral birds at Brinklow on February 19 and one at Coombe on April 2 CHP.

Staffs The bird from 1977 remained with Greylags at Tittesworth until at least January 15 PGB. At Blithfield one occurred on March 5 ARD, PDH, GS, while 11 5 flew south on December 30 CR, ICW, MW, the second year in succession that a substantial skein has appeared at this locality.

Lesser White-fronted Goose Warks A feral bird observed at Packington Park on eight occasions

between January 28 and June 18 DKC.

Greylag Goose One or two birds reported during various months at several localities, often with Canada Geese. More noteworthy records as follows:

Warks Seven at Ladywalk on January 2 and six on April 30; 12 at Draycote on January 8; 41 at Kingsbury W P on February 5; and 25 on January 2 at Brandon, where a nesting attempt failed. 80 on November 4 was the maximum at Packington Park, where several pairs bred.

Staffs 17 at Tittesworth on January 15; four at Chillington on June 1 8.

38

Snow Goose Feral birds reported at the following localities:

Warks Earlswood on April 9; Packington Park on April 23 and June 3 and 8.

Worcs Bittell on April 9. Staffs Tittesworth on October 24. WMid Sutton Park on August 1.

Canada Goose Warks A good breeding season reported at Ladywalk, where about 40

young reared. Maximum counts included 111 at Ladywalk on February 17, 100 at Brandon on September 3, 1 50 at Coombe on September 10, 400 at Kingsbury W P on September 17, 130 at Packington Park on September 30, 107 at Earlswood on October 4, 73 at Alvecote on December 9 and 42 at Leamington Spa during December. At Kingsbury a bird showing characters of the race interior or occidentaiis was present on January 12 and one showing characters of the race hutchinsii from March 11 to 31 and again on August 28.

Worcs Maxima reported were 64 at Westwood Park on February 12, 120 at Captain s Pool on September 1, 200 at Holt G P on September 9, 330 at Bittell on September 1 7, 74 at Kyre Pool on November 4 and 45 at Upton Warren in December.

Staffs As with other counties little breeding data submitted, though reported as increasing around Stafford but declining at Chillington. 80 young reared at Branston and 20 at Podmore. Maximum concentrations were 201 at Belvide on February 11, 78 at Tittesworth on July 16, 422 at Blithfield on September 23, 487 at Aqualate on October 22, 97 at Gailey on November 3, 384 on November 26 at Kings Bromley where regular roost was subjected to shooting, and 332 at Branston on December 27.

WMid 94 at Hydes Road Pool on January 20, 50 at Edgbaston Reservoir on February 12 and 14, 200 at Brueton Park, Solihull in early September and 100 at Edgbaston Park Pool in late November and December.

Barnacle Goose With one exception, all records almost certainly involved feral birds.

Warks Single birds at Kingsbury W P and Ladywalk during February and March, at Packington Park on February 24, at Brandon from May 28 to June 15, and at Leamington Spa on December 1 7.

39

Worcs Two at Westwood on February 23, one at Captain's Pool from March 19 to April 9, two at Upton Warren on April 1 9 followed by one on August 29, and one at Bittell from September 2 to 4.

Staffs Following gales, a family party of seven birds arrived at Blithfield on September 30; they were loath to settle and when they finally did so the adults remained nervously alert while the juveniles fed. After an hour the party took flight, circled the area for some minutes and headed off SE ARMB, ARD. Feral birds occurred at Blithfield in January, September and October, at Kings Bromley in February, March and on several occasions between August 20 and November 26, and four birds near Fisherwick on February 26.

WMid One at Stourbridge on February 24.

Hybrid Geese Warks A Canada Goose and a Barnacle Goose with five second-year

hybrid young were observed at Brandon from May 28 to June 15. Two Canada x Barnacle were at Kingsbury W P during August.

Staffs A Canada x Greylag reported at Blithfield on many dates, at Kings Bromley during August and September, at Belvide on October 28 and November 12, and a bird probably of this parentage was noted at Pool Hall. Two Snow x Barnacle at Gailey on November 3 and at Belvide on November 5 were from captive parents near Codsall and resembled blue-phase Snow Geese; single white-headed, grey-bodied geese also occurred at Belvide on September 24 and December 27. A Canada mated with a Barnacle at Branston and produced three young. A Barnacle hybrid occurred at Kings Bromley on several dates between August 1 and October 22, while a hybrid at Blithfield during September displayed characters of Greylag, Canada and Barnacle Goose!

Egyptian Goose Worcs A pair at High Green from late 1977 through to the summer when

an abandoned egg was found on the bank of the River Croome. Staffs One at Blithfield on January 22 and from September 28 to

December 17. WMid A bird at Edgbaston Park Pool—Vale Hall for most of the year and

at Edgbaston Reservoir on February 12.

40

Ruddy Shelduck Warks A drake at Brandon on June 11 and two, possibly three, at

Alvecote on November 12. Staffs One in flight over Branston on June 13.

Shelduck Bred again in Warwickshire and for the first time in Worcestershire.

Warks A pair bred at Lea Marston hatching five young but probably only three fledged. At Ladywalk one or two recorded intermittently between February 5 and April 22, with four on March 12, followed by a pair on June 1 and 15 and an adult with a well-grown brood of three in July and August, which may have been from Lea Marston. One or two observed at Kingsbury W P between February 6 and April 29, with four on April 20, then five on July 16, one on October 14 and one on December 18. A pair noted in flooded fields near Kingsbury on May 3 and a bird in flight near Maxstoke on June 1 7 and 24. Present at Alvecote from February 11 to June 17, with a peak of seven from March 19 to 25 and on April 30, and then from August 9 to December 24 with a maximum of 21 on October 21. At Draycote recorded in January, March, May, August, September, November and December, usually one to three birds but with four on January 5, five on May 4 and six on September 2. At Brandon, one on February 25, four on May 3, and a pair on May 22.

Worcs A pair reared three young at Upton Warren, the first breeding record for the county, and later in the year one occurred on October 19, five on November 26, one on December 3 and four from December 10 to 16. At Bittell two were recorded on January 6 and August 17 and one on April 7 and October 3. Single birds reported at Waseley on April 18, Hanbury on May 28 and June 4, and Grimley on December 27 and 28.

Staffs Observed at Blithfield between January 8 and May 7, with five on March 12, and then from August 23 to November 26, usually less than eight but with 27 on the last date. Recorded irregularly at Belvide from January 14 to May 28, normally one or two but with 18 on February 4; later in the year seven occurred on July 16, ten on September 5, three on September 6, two on December 2, and one on December 30. Seven were at Chasewater on January 8, followed by one on September 16, 1 5 on September 26, and five on December 9. One observed at Gailey on January 8, four at Rudyard on February 5, three at Westport on November 22, two at Branston on December 2, and eight" at Elford G P on an unspecified spring date.

WMid Recorded only at Bartley, where there were seven on January 5, two on April 23 and five on October 1.

41

Mandarin Warks A pair at Compton Verney from April 2 to 16. Worcs At Aston Mill Pit a pair observed on April 10 and then 20 birds,

mostly juveniles, on Julv 14 and three nn August 11, A drake at Wilden on October 29 and at Holt G P on November 14.

Staffs Single drakes at Belvide on October 28, Copmere on December 17 and for the fourth year running at Brocton.

WMid A duck at Mary Steven's Park, Stourbridge from January 7 to 10 and March 1 to April 6.

Wigeon A verage: September 3 (39) to April 2 7 (43) Last noted on May 7 at Blithfield, except for a late bird which remained at Belvide until June 4. Returned to Blithfield and Kingsbury W P on August 26.

Monthly maxima at principal waters:

Alvecote 5 5 Draycote 2 0 6 Ladywalk 113 Shustoke 101

Aqualate Belvide Blithfield Tittesworth

J F M A

5 6 5 6 2 4 0 2 0 1 0

1 5 0 7 6 3 1 — 3 0 —

9 4 1 2 5 2 5 — 87 B5 16 5

7 1 2 1 0 0 0 7 0 0 2 0 167 1 1 0 1 6 2 8

A S O N D

0 9 3 3 3 6 5 4 7 3 0 8 0 1 5 0 1 1 6 12 5 5

- — — 6 6

— — 17 2 5 4 1 2 4 17 6 5 0 6 3 5 3 4 1 5 0 4 0 0

— — 5 4 7 1 6 6

Warks A male summered at Draycote. Elsewhere 56 on January 28 was the maximum at Brandon, but numbers at Kingsbury W P were small, with a maximum of 46 on December 17. At Packington Park the most was eight on January 1 5 and at Leamington Spa six on March 5.

Worcs Very small numbers reported from Grimley, Holt and Upton Warren, with ten at Westwood on March 16, 18 at Bittell on November 12 and ten at Pulley on December 10.

Staffs One or two summered at Blithfield and a drake occurred at Belvide between May 13 and June 14. Small numbers reported from Chasewater, where the maximum was 23 on December 9; Copmere; Kings Bromley, where there were 24 on December 26; Rudyard; Tillington; Tixall, where 46 recorded on December 16; Water Eaton; and Westport.

WMid One or two intermittently at Bartley, with 15 on March 3 and 22 on November 30. Two occurred at Minworth on February 26 while at Edgbaston Park Pool three were seen on October 16 and a pair on November 8 and 13.

42

Gadwall Monthly maxima at principal waters:

M N

Alvecote Draycote Kingsbury W P Ladywalk

0 0 0 1 30 16 26 11 16 7 4 —

1 8 1 —

3 0 0 7 8 12 8 11 14 1 2 3

0 4 4 22

2

Upton Warren Westwood

13 10

12 12 2 8 — —

2 0 10

Warks The maximum at Packington Park was 13 on January 13. A pair noted at Ryton on March 27 and May 22. A drake occurred at Little Packington on April 1 5 and at Brandon from May 16 to June 8.

Worcs Three observed at Pulley on February 5. At Bittell a pair recorded on April 16, two pairs on October 3 and a pair on December 28. Single birds noted at Brakemill Pool between April 27 and May 10, and at Wilden on May 27.

Staffs At Chasewater, three recorded in January and one to four for much of December, with nine on December 9 and 10. A pair was at Blithfield on April 16, followed by one or two between August 23 and December 26. Up to 15 occurred at Tixall during September; four were seen at Chillington on September 28 and five on November 26 and one was noted at Branston on December 10.

WMid A drake present at Sandwell Valley from December 23 to end of year.

Teal

43

Monthly maxima at principal waters:

M N

Alvecote Brandon Draycote Kingsbury W P Ladywalk

3 4 2 1 12 3 4

1 5 0

110

3 0 4 0

3 0 0

3 0 4 5 1 0 2 4 12 3 0 2 7 4 5 2 4

4 0 1 1 0 1 3 0 1B5 2 0 0 — 2SU 1 / 2 1 4 4 4 2 2 0 15 2 5 2 9 1 2 0 3 0 2 5 2 0 2 0 1 3 5 3 0 3 4 8 6 1 1 0 3 5 0

Bittell Upton Warren

180 3 6

1 4 0 7

3 6 12

18 7

— 2 3 18 2 5

28 3 0

4 0 4 6

102 1 3 0

Aqualate Belvide Blithfield

2 7 5 5 — 2 1 0 2 5 0 3 0 2 5 2 1 6 2 2 2 3 0 1 0

— 7 0 2 0 5 5

2 5 0 4 6 0

6 2 1 4 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 1 6 5 3 5 0 3 5 0 3 1 5

M inwonh 9 9 1 3 0 62 2 5 15 2 7 3 4 9 2 5 5

Warks One pair reported breeding at Ladywalk. Isolated counts included 25 at Packington Park on August 20, 92 at Water Orton on November 12 and 50 at Willey on December 23.

Worcs 35 at Hanbury on September 10, 23 at Wilden on December 8, 160 at Grimley on December 14 and 26 at Westwood on December 1 7.

Staffs 100 in north of Tame Valley on February 17, 50 at Tillington on February 28, 21 at Knighton on March 19, 40 at Chillington on September 17, 191 at Kings Bromley on December 31, and up to 30 at Chasewater in December.

W Mid 37 at Sandwell Valley on February 11, 40 at Aldridge on December 1 7 and five at Edgbaston Reservoir on March 14.

Mallard Monthly maxima at principal waters:

J F M A M J J A S 0 N D

Alvecote 6 2 1 7 0 3 2 4 0 8 1 1 6 5 1 2 0 1 1 5 1 8 0 3 3 0 1 6 0 1 3 0 Draycote 4 5 0 4 0 0 1 4 2 — — — 105 4 0 0 81 1 5 6 0 6 0 0 8 5 0 Earlswood 1 5 0 1 1 0 — — — — — — — 2 1 5 3 0 0 3 5 0 Kingsbury W P 1 1 9 2 2 5 8 4 5 0 5 0 5 0 5 0 3 0 0 4 0 0 2 1 0 1 9 0 1 5 0 Ladywalk 2 5 7 7 0 0 7 0 — — 3 0 0 3 5 0 3 4 0 7 0 0 2 7 0 4 5 0 3 5 0 Packington Park 3 5 9 4 0 0 2 0 0 — — — — — 7 5 0 6 0 0 5 5 0 6 0 0

Bittell 2 0 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 10 2 1 4 0 2 0 0 4 0 0 2 7 5 2 0 0 Upton Warren 1 4 3 7 5 15 19 6 0 1 1 9 1 0 6 3 0 0 1 1 0 1 8 0 142 1 2 6 Westwood 1 2 0 2 0 0 3 0 2 5 0 1 5 0 4 0 0 3 5 0

Aqualate 1 0 0 0 1 3 0 0 2 0 0 7 0 0 7 5 0 1 6 0 0 1 1 2 0 Belvide 1 0 0 0 8 0 0 1 3 0 1 5 0 2 5 0 3 5 0 2 0 0 5 0 0 4 5 0 1 0 2 5 1 1 3 0 1 1 0 0 Blithfield 8 3 3 8 6 3 3 0 0 5 0 7 0 3 5 0 3 0 0 5 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 3 0 0 1 3 4 6 1 0 0 0 Kings Bromley 1 9 6 2 9 6 2 8 1 7 0 4 5 0 4 1 0 2 7 2

M i n w o n h — 9 5 — — — 2 8 — 4 5 4 8 8 4 9 8 8 4 Sutton Park 1 7 4 1 7 4 1 0 4 — — — — — 122 1 5 3 1 4 6 2 2 2

44

Warks At Alvecote 12 broods totalling 78 young were reared, while 11 hroods at Ladywalk totalled 55 young. 353 were at Stratford on January 15, 133 birds were counted at Water Orton on February 12 and 140 at Brandon on December 9.

Worcs At least six broods totalling 50 young were recorded at Upton Warren and a similar total at Bittell. 120 birds in July was the maximum at Wilden, 100 during November and December at Captain's Pool, and 275 on November 19 at Beckford.

Staffs At Belvide 17 broods totalling 80 young were recorded. Isolated counts included 400 at Chillington on September 17, 550 at Tixall on September 23, 250 at Copmere on December 17, 200 al Branston on December 27 and up to 100 during December at Chasewater, where numbers were below 20 in other months.

WMid Bred in several suburban parks but few comprehensive breeding reports submitted.

Pintail Average: September 23 (31) to April 11 (37) Last noted at Brandon on May 7. Returned to Alvecote on August 6.

Warks At Draycote a drake on January 8 followed by up to three birds between September 4 and 23, one on November 25 and up to five from December 3 to 24. One or two noted at Ladywalk between January 14 and May 1 with four on March 12, and a pair on November 5. A duck at Kingsbury W P on April 1 7 and October 2 and a drake on April 24 and October 14. One or two at Alvecote between January 11 and March 28, followed by one on August 6 and one or two from November 5 to December 9. A pair observed at Brandon from April 29 to May 7 and a duck on October 22.

Worcs Two noted at Upton Warren on April 2, August 13 and December 10, three on August 12 and one on December 17. A drake at Westwood on February 27, and a pair at Bittell on December 6 and Blakedown on December 12. A drake at Wilden on November 19 was the first record for the locality; the same bird was subsequently seen at Captain's Pool up to November 26.

Staffs Recorded at Blithfield from January 1 to April 2, with six on January 22; and from August 30 to December 26, with seven on November 25 and December 23. Belvide held a pair on May 1 and one or two on five dates between September 3 and December 27; Chasewater one from September 25 to October 7 and three on November 29; Kings Bromley six on February 12 and up to three between December 26 and 31; Burton five on February 6, and Branston a single drake on December 26. A Pintail x Mallard hybrid was observed at Blithfield from September 3 to 10 and at Belvide on October 7 and 8.

45

Garganey Average: March 31 (35) to September 26 (34) Early birds at Brandon on March 12, but no other reports until April 22 at Belvide. Last seen at Upton Warren on October 1 5.

Warks A pair at Brandon from March 12 to May 20 and a single bird on August 30 and September 1. At Alvecote recorded from May 14 to June 4, with three on May 25 and a pair on June 3 and 4, followed by a single bird on August 27 and September 3. Three occurred at Kingsbury W P between August 13 and September 1, four on September 2, and then one until September 16.

Worcs One at Upton Warren from July 21 to August 28, with two on August 13 and 19, followed by one on September 24 and from October 7 to 15. Single birds at Wilden on May 3 and September 1 5, Bittell on September 4 to 6 and 1 7, and Holt G P on August 2 8 .

Staffs At Belvide a duck present on April 22, a drake from May 10 to 21 with two on 18, one or two between July 22 and September 9, and a final bird on October 1. Two were at Blithfield on July 29 and one on August 19. One identified at Chasewater on September 4.

Shoveler Monthly maxima at principal waters:

J F M A M J J A S 0 N • Alvecote 15 11 11 5 5 0 0 12 41 4 1 3 0 19 Draycote 6 7 14 8 5 2 — 2 8 5 3 16 Kingsbury W P 4 3 8 0 4 0 8 2 4 1 7 5 0 6 5 6 5 7 0 Ladywalk 2 6 53 7 0 6 2 6 3 2 4 2 6 5 10 17 2 5

Upton Warren 6 5 2 5 9 11 3 8 7 15 5 0 5 4 1 2 5 15 W e s t w o o d 4 2 4 1 10 2 4 24

Aqualate 8 7 4 8 3 0 0 52 1 4 0 3 1 Belvide 111 1 2 0 2 0 2 9 14 7 1 0 7 0 1 5 0 2 5 0 2 0 5 1 0 0 Blithfield 1 0 10 12 5 2 3 15 3 0 1 0 0 3 0 6 0 15

Mi nworth 10 10 8 — - — 2 0 22 31 0 1

Warks Single pairs bred at Kingsbury W P and Ladywalk. Isolated counts included 11 at Shustoke on January 21, 37 at Brandon on June 15, 16 at Leamington Spa Reservoir on November 12 and 69 at Coombe the same day.

Worcs One or two pairs summered but no evidence of breeding. Small numbers reported from Bittell in March, September, November and December with 14 on September 4. Other maxima included 20 at Pulley on February 5 and 60 at Captain's Pool on October 25.

46

Staffs Along with several other species of duck, becoming more regular at Chasewater, where recorded in small numbers in seven months and peaking at an all time maximum of 42 on December 17. Two pairs bred at Tixall, where the maximum count was 12 on September 23. 14 were seen at Gailey on January 4, 40 at Chillington on September 17, and ten at Kings Bromley on December 31.

WMid Away from Minworth only very small numbers reported: two at Meriden on July 23, one at Bartley on December 4 with two on 11, and a pair at Edgbaston Park Pool on December 12, 14 and 25.

Red-crested Pochard A drake at Draycote from January 3 to 8 JAA et at. and a duck at Ladywalk on September 3 BLK. A duck at Westwood on January 4 and 5 CPB. A duck at Sutton Park on October 31 AM, PAM.

Pochard Monthly maxima:

J F M A M J J A S 0 N D

Alvecote 2 9 1 3 2 6 1 5 7 4 4 16 4 6 2 8 14 2 2 89 1 0 2 165 Draycote 1 2 5 5 4 0 0 2 0 3 — 1 1 14 7 120 4 0 0 6 7 0 Kingsbury W P 2 8 0 1 0 0 7 0 — 3 14 2 0 2 0 4 0 110 1 7 0 154 Ladywalk 2 2 8 6 15 — — 2 2 — 3 17 75 5 Shustoke 7 5 27 3 34 1 5 8 96

Bittell 4 4 6 2 2 <4 10 57 Upton Warren 1 6 7 4 1 3 4 6 12 7 14 15 2 14 4 5 5 4 W e s i w o o d 8 4 1 6 0 3 6 14 2 0 9 0 125

Aqualate 3 0 4 2 8 4 3 2 7 4 7 Belvide 2 5 5 75 3 5 5 7 4 8 122 ISO 1 5 0 100 9 0 1 0 3 Blithfield 102 1 5 0 8 0 8 4 2 0 2 5 4 0 9 3 3 0 0 4 0 0 2 5 0 Chasewater 6 5 1 0 0 2 0 3 5 — 1 2 12 18 25 S.0 Westport 73 4 5 8 17 4 8 76 79

Hydes Road Pool 6 9 58 5 6 1 8 2 31 53

Warks Four broods totalling 13 young reared at Alvecote. Isolated counts included 90 at Packington Park in January, 250 at Coombe on January 22, 136 at Brandon on February 25 and 40 at Earlswood on November 4.

Worcs A brood of six noted at Pulley. Other peak counts included 11 7 at Pirton on January 1, 39 at Wilden on October 19 and 60 at Captain's Pool on October 25.

Staffs 43 at Rudyard on January 20, 81 at Kings Bromley on February 12, 63 at Copmere on March 19, 60 at Himley on December 4 and 72 at Branston on December 27.

WMid 73 at Bartley and 103 at Edgbaston Reservoir on January 18, and 105 at Edgbaston Park Pool on December 12.

Warks

Worcs W Mid

47

Ring-necked Duck Following the two arrivals in late 1977 at least one more appeared in early 1978.

Warks The bird at Draycote remained until February 22 and was then seen at Brandon until April 5 PJF, CHP, AJR et at. An immature male occurred at Kingsbury W P from January 7 to 1 5 ARMB, ARD, JEF, MJH, SMH.

Staffs A drake in the Staffordshire section of Alvecote on January 14 - was possibly the Kingsbury bird GAA, ARD, PJT.

Ferruginous Duck Warks An immature male at Draycote from November 12 JAA, RFWH,

MJI, GJM, MSS to December 16. Staffs An adult drake at Belvide from July 12 CR to 16.

Tufted Duck Monthly maxima at principal waters:

J F M A M J J A S 0 N 0

Alvecote 1 4 6 1 1 5 91 1 0 6 84 31 4 8 67 4 6 9 1 1 0 2 1 2 0 Draycote 2 0 0 0 1 2 0 0 55 — — 2 6 8 5 7 6 9 8 5 6 0 0 6 5 0 1 I S O Kingsbury W P 3 5 0 3 0 0 2 8 7 2 9 1 2 7 6 1 0 0 2 0 4 3 6 6 3 9 3 1 5 8 1 5 0 2 6 9 Ladywalk 8 5 3 4 0 76 5 4 5 0 3 0 1 3 0 3 7 4 0 2 8 71 6 0 Packington 1 5 0 1 7 0 1 5 0 1 0 0 — — — — 1 7 5 1 7 5 1 5 0 7 5 Shustoke 9 5 7 4 4 6 9 0 — — — — 54 6 5 72 4 9

Bittell 2 7 3 0 4 0 2 2 18 3 19 27 1 6 0 150 1 5 0 1 1 0 Upton Warren 16 3 0 29 31 33 2 5 3 8 2 7 3 0 2 2 4 0 8 Westwood 3 0 2 4 18 8 8 4 16

Aqualate 18 6 0 61 5 0 — 5 0 22 4 8 128 Belvide 1 7 0 8 0 1 5 0 152 2 2 4 1 6 0 5 5 0 6 5 0 3 4 0 3 4 0 2 5 0 2 0 0 Blithfield 47 37 53 9 0 6 0 3 3 1 0 5 4 0 52 4 2 5 2 3 0 Branston 1 5 0 7 0 4 5 — — — — — 55 57 6 5 122 Chasewater 3 9 0 4 0 0 1 2 0 8 0 4 0 — 13 21 21 3 8 2 0 0 3 4 5 Kings Bromley 1 3 0 1 8 6 14 — — — — — 13 2 0 3 9 9 5 Westport 53 8 5 13 4 — — — — 3 9 4 5 7 7 106

The January count at Draycote was a record for the Club's area (see 1977 Report).

Warks Bred at Alvecote (14 broods totalling 70 young), Kingsbury W P (27 broods totalling 147 young), Brandon (six broods), Coombe, Draycote, Ladywalk (about 37 young), Packington, and Shustoke (5 broods totalling 27 young). 160 birds on March 4 was the maximum at Brandon and other isolated counts were 74 at Warwick Park, 64 at Ryton and 50 at Napton, all in March.

Worcs Breeding reported at Aston Mill, Beckford, Grimley, Holt, Pulley, Upton Warren (five broods) and Westwood (two broods totalling six young).

48

Staffs Nine broods totalling 39 young reared at Belvide and three broods totalling 20 young at Blithfield; also bred at Copmere, Brewood and Kinys Brumley. Isolated counts included 8b at Copmere on March 19, 60 at Tixall on September 23, 100 at Brocton on October 8 and 54 at Hanch in December.

WMid Small numbers recorded fairly regularly at Bartley, with 120 on February 11 during cold weather. 45 noted at Edgbaston Reservoir on January 18, 86 in Sutton Park on October 15 and a few birds observed intermittently at Aldridge and Saltley. Four broods were reared at Meriden and Minworth; also bred at Wednesfield and EdyLiaslun Park.

Scaup Warks A remarkable series at Draycote, where a duck observed on

several dates through January many observers and again on February 26 JAA, two drakes and a duck on April 13, a drake from July 29 JAA to August 1, when three more males appeared PJB, and then recorded from October 19 PJF to end of year, with at least six from November 21 onwards and up to six immature males, three adult males and three females claimed during this period many observers. A duck at Kingsbury W P on January 28 and 29 JAA, BLK, KAL, and two drakes and a duck from December 10 to 17 JAA, JEF. PDH.

Worcs A drake at Beckford on February 10 DVM. Staffs The duck from 1977 remained at Blithfield until the end of

February, and was followed by a drake on August 3 ESC and 1 6 ARMB, and a duck on December 10/3/7D. At Belvide a drake was present from June 3 DS to October 14, the first record of summering; three more drakes appeared between August 5 and 28 DS et ai. A duck identified at Chasewater on October 14 ARMB, a duck at this locality on March 3 SKW and a pair on December 16 GE were considered to be hybrids. Single birds reported at Copmere on April 1 5 IRM, JPM, NCM and at Branston on December 16 MSS.

WMid At Bartley a drake present from July 11 to 13 JAA and an immature male on October 2 AJH.

Eider Warks A duck or immature at Draycote from November 14 PJB to

December 16 was the first county record and the first in the Club's area since 1973.

49

Common Scoter Coincident arrivals on April 16 and May 3.

Warks A drake at Draycote from January 6 to 8 several observers; followed by five males on May 3, of which three remained till May 5 PJB, RB, PJF, DIP; drakes on July / RB and from September 14 to 17 PJB, DIP, and a duck from November 16 to 21 many observers. A good year at. Shustoke, where two observed on January 1 5 DTU, five (four males) on April 16 ARD, and eight (six ducks) on October 11 BLK, KAL. A drake at Alvecote on May 3 GAA.

Worcs Five at Westwood on May 3 CPB. Staffs At Chasewater a drake on January 28 ARD and October 2 GE,

RAH, RMH, IRM. Two drakes and a duck occurred at Copmere on April 9 JPM and a drake at Belvide on April 16 MJH, RFWH.

W Mid A drake at Bartley on December 31 A WH.

Goldeneye Average: October 14 (39) to April 28 (40) Excluding summer records, last noted at Blithfield on May 14 and first autumn record from Westport on September 1 7. Monthly maxima at principal waters:

J F M A 0 N D

Draycote 71 6 0 5 3 13 11 2 8 7 0 Kingsbury W P 3 9 4 1 4 6 2 8 2 17 2 5 Shustoke 16 2 — — — 8 1 0

Belvide 6 6 6 3 102 1 2 6 2 0 5 0 6 0 Blithfield 3 0 5 0 3 3 4 0 6 15 2 0 Chasewater 6 0 6 0 5 2 12 1 2 6 4 9

Warks A drake again summered at Kingsbury W P. At Ladywalk seven observed on January 21 and 22, nine on February 12, a pair on February 1 5 and four on November 5. Five were at Alvecote on April 22, two on November 26 and one on December 24. One or two at Brandon from December 9 to 16. A duck noted at Water Orton from December 1 7 to 31.

Worcs Up to three recorded at Westwood during January and February and a single bird in late December. One or two noted irregularly during January and December at Upton Warren were probably birds displaced from Westwood by sailing activities.

Staffs One observed at Belvide from July 27 to at least August 19. Small numbers reported from Aqualate, Branston, Copmere, Gailey, Knypersley, Rudyard and Westport, and a maximum of 14 at Kings Bromley on February 19.

50

WMid At Bartley one or two noted up to April 9, a single bird on October 1 anrl up tn five from October 29 to end of the year. One at Edgbaston Park Pool on October 27 and two at Sandwell Valley in mid-December.

S m e w All records involved redheads.

Warks One at Draycote from January 1 JAA, PJF, GRS to 29. Staffs At Chasewater one observed on January 2 and 3 GE, RAH, MJI

and two from February 14 RLE to 19. Single birds at Blithfield from January 1 to 4 JCE-D, IRM and at Belvide from December 9 TJC into the new year.

Red-breasted Merganser A small influx during December.

Warks Two drakes observed at Draycote on December 31 AC. Worcs A duck at Grimley on December 14 SWW and a drake at

Blakedown on December 23 BW. Staffs The drake from 1977 remained at Blithfield until March 18 and

was seen again from December 17 ARD, GS into the new year; a duck was also present from January 22 ARMB, ARD, PDH to March 5 and a second duck on February 18 MW.

WMid Two reported at Bartley on October 29 DRR, INR and one on December 28 JTB, KRF, AJH, MSS.

Goosander Average: November 12 (38) to April 2 (38) Extreme dates were April 2 and October 1, both at Blithfield.

Warks Recorded at Draycote in January, with eight on January 7, and then smaller numbers during February, March, late November and December. Four occurred at Kingsbury W P on January 28, one on January 29 and February 6, and one on December 3. At Shustoke two were seen on February 24 and November 27, and one on December 6. Five were noted at Alvecote on January 19, one at Coombe on November 26, two at Ladywalk on November 27, six at Brandon on December 10 and a pair at Hartshill on December 21.

Worcs Recorded only at Bittell, where there were two from January 30 to February 5 followed by one between December 12 and 29 with a second bird from December 21 to 27.

Staffs Monthly maxima at Blithfield were as follows:

J F M A 0 N D

1 1 0 1 2 0 1 3 2 11 11 12 7 6

51

Belvide held up to three between January and March 19 and one on October 21; Rudyard up to four in January and early February and one on December 28 and 29; and Tittesworth up to six in January, two on March 14, one on November 5 and up to three in December. Al Chasewater a duck was seen from December 9 to 1 7 while one of two birds on October 18 had been wing-tagged in Northumberland and was both the first sighting of the season and the furthest south ever of the study group's birds MW.

WMid One at Bartley on January 9 and three on April 9. A bird at Edgbaston Reservoir on February 3.

Ruddy Duck Monthly maxima at principal waters:

J F M A M J J A S 0 N D

Alvecote 0 1 1 2 5 3 2 1 1 8 6 2 1

Upton Warren 3 4 2 0 6 8 8 9 2 5 12 12 7 2 Westwood 1 0 16 1 0 1 0 4 2 2 6 12 16 1

Belvide 1 4 0 5 4 8 7 7 0 3 8 18 5 3 9 7 2 2 3 3 1 3 2 0 0 5 8 Blithfield 9 9 2 0 0 1 5 0 7 3 7 3 0 7 15 2 0 5 5 2 1 5

Warks Two broods of four at Alvecote and single broods at Middleton and Packington. Present at Brandon all summer but did not breed. At Draycote up to three birds present during January and February, one on May 13, and up to four from October to December. One at Kingsbury W P from January to March 4, with two on February 28 and May 13 and one on October 21, November 6 and December 18. Three at Coombe on March 13 and two on November 26. Single birds at Arbury on March 1 5 and Ryton on May 22, and two at Shustoke on November 27.

Worcs Five broods totalling 31 young at Upton Warren, a brood of seven at Strensham, a brood of six at Wilden and two pairs with young observed at Oakley. Attempted to breed at Pirton, but well-incubated eggs deserted when pool drained. At Bittell one present on April 1 6 and a pair on May 4. Two drakes at Hewell Lake on :

May 20. Staffs Bred at Belvide (seven young), Copmere and Podmore Pool (seven

young). Generally small numbers at Aqualate, but 62 on March 11. Ten at Copmere on April 1 5 and four at Stretton Hall on July 30. One or two birds on isolated dates at Brocton, Chasewater, Teddesley, Tillington, Tittesworth and Tixall.

WMid A duck at Sutton Park on March 4, two drakes at Edgbaston Park Pool on April 24 and a duck on September 10, and a pair at Sandwell Valley in mid-December.

52

Red Kite Staffs One reported over Cannock Chase on March 23 MD, the first in

the county since 1953 and in the Club's area since 19 /b .

Marsh Harrier Staffs At Blithfield a female on June 18 ESC, ARD, JCE-D and a male on

August 10 ARD. The seventh and eighth county records.

Hen Harrier Warks A female at Brandon on December 30 BMCG. Worcs The female from 1977 remained in the Aston Mill area until

March 3 DVM, while a bird at Beckford on April 22 SNC may have been the same.

Staffs Present on North Staffs Moors early in the year but not during the breeding season MJW. One at Swallow Moss on January 1 CR, MW and on Cannock Chase on December 9 CR, ICW, MW.

Harrier sp Warks A Ringtail at Brandon on May 17 BMCG was not specifically

identified. Worcs A Ringtail Harrier at Hartlebury Common, also on May 17, BW,

was considered by observer to be probably a Montagu's on structure and lack of prominent white rump.

Goshawk

Recorded from at least eight localities involving three counties.

Sparrowhawk Apparently now doing well.

Warks Breeding season reports from Alvecote, Brandon, Kingsbury W P, Leamington Spa and Packington with records from nine additional areas at other seasons.

Worcs Summer records at Bittell, Bredon, Broome, Chaddesley, Clent, Croome, Hanbury, Holt, Horseley, Islandpool, Monk Wood, Stourport, Thicknall, Trench Wood, Upton Warren, West Hagley, Wilden, Wissetts Wood and Wyre Forest. Autumn and winter sightings from a dozen other localities.

53

Staffs Noted during the breeding season at Belvide, Blithfield, Cannock Chase, Chillington, Coombes Valley, Copmere, Enville, Goldsitch Moss, Harriseahead, Seabridge, Stafford, Tutbury, Uttoxeter, Westlands, Weston and Whittington. Reported from 28 additional siles al other seasons.

WMid Bred in Sutton Park and also noted at Bartley, Brierley Hill, Gornal Wood, Halesowen, Minworth, Penn, Stourbridge, Tettenhall and Woodgate.

Buzzard Two to five pairs bred in the area.

Warks Single birds observed at Newbold Comyn on August 12, Walton on August 20, Radford Semele on October 3 and Draycote on November 12.

Worcs Bred near Shakenhurst and present throughout the year at Croome. Single birds noted at Wyre Forest on April 2, Malvern on May 29, Strensham on August 6 and November 26, near Tewkesbury on August 30, Wickhamford on September 7, Stour Hill on September 10, Sinton Green on September 18 and Woodnorton on December 17.

Staffs A pair nested successfully at one site and two other pairs possibly bred in the west of the county. Birds observed over Kinver on March 30, Himley on August 27, Seabridge on September 6 and Blithfield on December 2.

WMid One at Bartley early in January, over Kings Norton on June 19, and Marston Green on October 14.

Rough-legged Buzzard Staffs A bird at Coombes Valley for a week at the end of February MJW

was the first in the Club's area since 1974.

Osprey Warks One at Brandon on May 6 BMCG. A bird appeared at Draycote on

August 6 RCM and was seen regularly until the end of the month. Another reported on October 13 JTB.

Worcs At Pirton one from June 11 to 14 then two until June 25 JRH, PH.

Staffs Appeared at Blithfield for the sixth successive year, a bird being watched by several observers on May 13 and 14.

Kestrel Warks Widespread, but details of only seven breeding pairs submitted.

Feeds regularly over raised embankments at Draycote, with six on September 9.

Worcs A pair nested in same tree as Tawny Owl near Worcester, the nests being about 15 feet apart. A young bird flew through open window of house at Far Forest in June.

54

Staffs Numerous sightings, but details of only five breeding sites submitted.

WMid A special study of breeding in the conurbation resulted in the location of 20 definite breeding sites and eight further possible sites; a total of at least 59 young was hatched from 18 of these nests GVP. Breeding was additionally reported from Oldbury and Kings Heath Cricket Club.

Merl in Warks A female observed in the Kingsbury—Ladywalk area on nine

dates between January 7 and March 11 JAA, JEF, PJ, KAL and at Kingsbury W P on four dates between October 7 and November 25 JAA, JEF, PDH, with an additional male on the last dateJEF. A male at Draycote on October 14 PJF and from November 16 to the end of the year ARD, CHP. One reported at Newbold Comyn on December 10 and llmington on December 13 EJB.

Worcs A bird at Westwood on February 13 and March 11 CPB and a female at Upton Warren on December 3 GCB, PKD, AFJ.

Staffs Three pairs reported on the North Staffs Moors MJW. A female at Morridge on January 1 FCG. One at Belvide on April 2 RFWH, MJI, GJM and October 8 DS. One at the Roaches on July 16 JTB, KCH, INR, MSS, a female at Blithfield on September 30 ARD and one near Lapley on October 22 MB.

W Mid A bird in Sutton Park on March 4 SMH.

Hobby Average: May 1 (11) to October 1 (14) First record from Brandon on April 28 and last from Nuneaton on October 15.

Warks At least three pairs bred. One appeared at Brandon on April 28 and was then seen regularly until September 1 7 BMCG. A bird at Dunchurch on May 1 9 PJB, and at Draycote on August 26 RCM and September 9 and 10 several observers. A pair near Walton on May 22 RED. One at Alvecote on June 10 and two on August 30 GAA. An adult near Nuneaton on June 15 and 20 and an immature from September 10 to 20 and again on October 15 EHT. Single birds at Wasperton on July 20 RHS; at Burton Dassett between August 5 and 12 GRH, JVH; near Priors Hardwick in early autumn RB; at Newbold-on-Avon from August 4 to 11 and on September 7 PJB; and at Ladywalk on several occasions during August and September RSA, JAE, HTL, KAL

Worcs One pair bred rearing three young. Single birds nearThorngrove in late April and early May SWW; Wildmoor on May 6 KCH; near Wychbold on May 19 CJH; Wilden on June 4 B Wand September 3 AFJ; Worcester on June 14 RM; Droitwich on June 17, August

55

6 CPB and August 31 AFJ; Holt between July 21 and September 24 KRF, TCEL, SWW with two on September 19; Hopwood on August 16 JTB, KRF, KCH; and fairly frequently in autumn at Upton \Narrer\AFJ et a!

Staffs Observed at Clayton on May 1 and on June 18 and 23 WJL; Belvide on May 1 and 3 ARMB, SKW; Stafford on May 17 GS; Alrewas on May 27 JCE-D; Seabridge on June 18 and September 1 9 IRM, JPM, NCM, and Branston during September INR, MSS.

W Mid Singles at Edgbaston Park on May 1 7 GFA, Bell Green on May 26 CHP, Sutton Park on August 20 ARMB, Minworth on August 22 KAL, Hawkesley on September 4 CBL and Barston from September 11 to 16 MBa.

Peregrine

Staffs A bird flew south over Clayton on November 28 WJL.

Red Grouse Staffs Little comparative data received, but 37 on the Roaches on July

16 and 19 at Swallow Moss on October 24. Black Grouse

Staffs Many reports, all from the usual restricted area, with up to 10 males noted at both Gib Tor and Swallow Moss.

Red-legged Partridge Majority of reports from the Tame Valley, with up to 28 at Kingsbury W P and 16 at Ladywalk in September. More widely reported, in groups up to 10, with 1 5 noted at Aston Mill and Beckford in November. Fewer records. Only Belvide (10) and Perton (12) produced double-figure coveys.

Noted at Bartley Green, Halesowen and Meriden.

Grey Partridge Warks Many small groups reported, with maxima of 23 at Burton

Hastings in January and 22 at Kingsbury W P, 15 at Clifford Chambers and 12 near Ettington all in August.

Worcs Few reports, but up to 18 noted regularly at Broome and West Hagley with 20 at nearby Stakenbridge.

Staffs One pair in heather on the moors at Gun Hill on April 16 (the same habitat is frequented on Cannock Chase). Widespread reports of small numbers.

WMid Noted at Aldridge, Bartley, Brierley Hill, Foleshill Gas Works, Hampton Sewage Works, Mercote, Meriden (up to 12) and Woodgate Valley.

Warks

Worcs

Staffs

WMid

56

Quail Worcs One heard at Upton Warren on May 20 AFJ and two in barley at

Holy Cross from July 1 5 t o 2 9 f l W . Staffs One singing from grass at Ingestre on June 27 DS.

Pheasant No significant changes reported.

Golden Pheasant Warks Two females of dubious origin reported from Packington on

March 17.

Water Rail Warks Bred near Barford and heard in the breeding season at Brandon

and Kingsbury W P. More widespread in small numbers in winter. Worcs Probably bred at Upton Warren. Scattered reports in winter,

including up to four at Westwood. Staffs Few reports, all in winter and autumn, with up to three at Belvide.

Spotted Creke Warks One at Brandon on February 12 BMCG. Staffs One found dead at Branston on October 1 KH, INR, MSS.

Corncrake Warks One reported near Alvecote on May 9 CJH. Another heard and

seen near Newbold Comyn on June 25, August 30 and September 24 and 25 EJB, WGB, WT.

Staffs One at Coombes Valley in July per FCG.

Moorhen Worcs Up to 50 at Holt G P in the early months. Staffs 55 at Dunstall on January 3 and about 100 at Belvide from

August to October. WMid Two pairs reared a total of eight young at Edgbaston Reservoir—a

remarkable feat!

Coot Monthly maxima at principal waters:

J F M A M J J A S 0 N 0

Alvecote 1 8 5 2 2 5 1 4 0 9 5 8 8 1 3 3 2 1 7 1 7 7 2 2 0 9 5 1 0 5 1 3 0 Oraycote 1 5 0 0 4 0 0 1 0 0 — — — 6 3 — 8 2 6 — — —

Kingsbury W P — 2 6 5 — — — — 2 7 8 — 5 6 5 5 5 0 — —

Biltell 3 2 3 5 2 9 16 2 2 2 9 3 6 5 6 1 4 0 2 3 0 2 3 0 1 0 0

Aqualate 8 7 1 9 9 5 0 1 0 0 7 4 137 5 5 Belvide 3 5 0 3 0 0 2 6 0 2 0 0 2 0 0 4 0 0 1 0 7 0 1 5 0 0 1 6 0 0 4 0 0 2 8 0 2 8 0 Blithfield — — — — — 3 7 0 4 8 6 — — — — —

Chasewater 5 4 0 2 5 0 1 0 5 — — — — — 2 8 0 3 5 5 4 6 0 6 6 5

57

The revived fortunes of the Chasewater flock continues. On February 12 300 were in one field at Brandon when all pools were frozen. Elsewhere frequent reports of up to 200 and several indications of a good breeding season for this fascinating bird which is too easily taken tor granted.

Oystercatcher Warks Two on February 20 at Ladywalk were followed by one on April

1 5. Probably the same bird was at Kingsbury W P from April 9 to 1 5 and this locality also held two on May 25 and one on July 29. Again the latter individual was probably one of three that were noted at Alvecote the following day. One at Brandon on April 1 6, whilst at Draycote singles occurred on April 6 and 16 and on a few dates in July and August, with three on June 14 and two on August 15.

Worcs Singles at Holt from April 28 into May and at Wilden on May 7. Staffs A pair regularly noted at a gravel pit in the east of the county and

frantic distraction display in late summer indicated successful hatching though young were not seen AEC per DS. Singles at Chasewater on May 12, Belvide on June 6—an unusual date—and Branston on August 23. A good series at Blithfield, with two on March 29 and again on April 16, singles on May 13 and 14, July 30 and August 4 and 23, with two on August 19 and 28 and finally one on November 25.

WMid Singles at Bartley on June 24 and August 1 7 and 18, with one at Meriden on July 23.

Little Ringed Plover Average: March 25 (14) to October4 (14) First noted on March 19 at Brandon, but no more records until April 2. Last at Draycote on October 1 2.

Warks Two pairs bred at Alvecote, where up to eight were noted in July, and three pairs at Brandon, where a maximum of seven on June 15. Recorded between April and September at Kingsbury W P, with up to four in May and nine in July. One pair bred unsuccessfully at Ladywalk, where there were 16 on July 13. Probably three breeding pairs at Packington, but their productivity was low. Noted also at Coton, Lea Marston (up to 10 in July), Ryton G P and Draycote, where up to four occurred between April 8 and October 12.

58

Worcs One pair reared four young at Upton Warren, the first successful breeding there. Another pair reared three young at Holt G P and breeding probably occurred at Aston Mill, but a pair at Beckford were unsuccessful. A few passage birds noted at Bittell and Wilden,

Staffs Three pairs bred at Branston and two at Perton, whilst two pairs attempted to breed at Chasewater and may have succeeded. No more than three noted at Blithfield in an exceptionally poor year and only ones and twos at Belvide. One or two also noted occasionally at Gailey, Hademore, Hanley, Hixon, Marston Brook and Tittesworth.

WMid Probably bred at Meriden and perhaps attempted to do so at Brierley Hill, but was defeated by excessive disturbance. Also noted at Bartley and Minworth.

Ringed Plover Despite good conditions a poor year everywhere.

Warks Up to three at Draycote between April 8 and June 4 and again between July 23 and October 10, except for six on August 28. Three at Brandon on May 27 and one on July 21. Kingsbury W P attracted one on March 10, up to three between May 3 and 17 and then one or two occasionally from July 8 to September 23, except for seven on August 1 7. At Alvecote there were 12 on May 21 and one on May 27, whilst Ladywalk had singles on April 22 and 30, two on May 21, one again on August 30 and 13 on September 3. Isolated records also from Chesterton and Lea Marston.

Worcs One or two occasionally at Upton Warren between March 11 and June 3, with up to six in late May, and again from August 12 to 20. Noted at Bittell between August 16 and September 9, with peak of 14 on September 5. Otherwise just two singles at Wilden and one at Holt.

Staffs At Belvide five on May 3 and singles on May 21 and July 29. One at Blithfield on May 15, then present from July 12 to October 7, rarely more than five but 21 on September 16. Singles at Chasewater on May 10 and 1 5 were followed by eight on August 22 then a few until September 30. Reported on odd dates at Branston, Kings Bromley and Tillington.

WMid Three records of single birds at Bartley, Meriden and Sutton Park.

Dotterel WMid A trip of nine birds at Grove End on May 13 JEF, SMH comprised

three bright females, four dull males and two indeterminates. An exceptional record for the Club's area, akin to the regular appearances in East Anglia at this time of year.

59

Warks

Worcs

Staffs

WMid

Warks

Worcs

Staffs

Golden Plover Average: August 30 (32) to April 13 (32) Last noted on March 12 at Seckington, except for a very late record from Chasewater on May 1. Returned on July 29 tn Alvecote, but not widespread until late August. The Alvecote area held 125 in January, 500 in February, 750 in March and 250 in November and December. Elsewhere the largest winter flocks were 300 at Ansty, 130 at Brinklow, 1 50 at Seckington and 120 at Long Lawford in January; 180 at Cathiron in February and 400 at Middleton and 240 at Kings Newnham in March. In autumn 300 passed over Kingsbury W P in October and 267 were at Brinklow in December. Widespread reports of smaller flocks. Only one sizeable winter flock, of 1 50 at Whittington in January, but more in autumn when 60 at Aston Mill and 160 near Bredon between October and December (presumably from a nearby regular haunt in north Gloucestershire) and up to 60 at Upton Warren also in December. Bred at Gradbach and Wolf Edge and display noted regularly over Goldsitch Moss. Winter flocks widely reported, the largest being 300 at Water Eaton on January 22, 191 flying W at Belvide on February 11 and about 1000 near Penkridge on March 4. In autumn Belvide had up to 125 in October and 200 were at Trescott on November 21. The regular Drayton Bassett flock reached 650 in February and 100 in August. One flew E over factories at Bilton on February 20 and 40 flew NE over Keresley the next day. 100 were near the National Exhibition Centre on October 22

Grey Plover Singles in spring at Brandon between April 29 and May 7; Ladywalk on May 1 and 3 and Draycote on May 4 and 5 were followed by one at Kingsbury W P on the unusual date of June 21. The only autumn record was one at Draycote from August 19 to 23. Spring records involved singles at Upton Warren on April 28 and 29—the first recorded there—and Holt G P on May 4. In autumn singles at Bittell on September 1 and December 25. A poor year, with two at Belvide on May 2 the only spring record and autumn sightings confined to two at Blithfield on September 30 and singles at Belvide on October 1 and December 10.

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Lapwing Warks At Alvecote up to 1000 in January and February, 500 in July,

1000 in August and 750 in November. Elsewhere 2000 flew SW over Leamington in just two hours on February 12; 1500 were at Brandon on August 14 and a strong passage on November 19 brought flocks of 1800 and 1300 to the same locality, whilst 1200 were at Shustoke on October 1 6.

Worcs Flocks included 1000 at Hanbury in March; a similar number at Bordesley in the same month and again from September to Deccmbor; 1000 near Broome in .Inly; 1500 on Stour Hill in November and up to 1200 at Bittell and 500 near Bredon in December.

Staffs The larger flocks included 1000 near Thorpe Constantine on January 1; 21 50 south of Stafford on January 2 and 3840 in the same area on February 4 and 1850 flying W over Belvide on February 11. Post-breeding dispersal brought 1550 to Copmere on July 16, with 300 at Blithfield in the same month followed by 1700 in August, 1600 in September and up to 300 until December. Belvide also held 1000 on November 5 and 12.

WMid Many scattered groups of up to 400 in urban fringe areas.

Knot Warks A good series at Draycote, where one from March 25 to 27, eight

on July 30, two on November 13 and four on November 16. Singles occurred at Brandon from May 1 to 3 and Ladywalk on August 31.

Worcs Singles at Bittell on January 14; Wilden from July 1 7 to 19—the first ever at the locality; and on ice at Upton Warren on December 3.

Staffs Singles at Belvide on May 3; Blithfield on July 31, August 26, five dates between September 9 and 28 and on October 15, 21 and 22; and Branston on May 29 with two there on December 31.

Sanderling A small influx in early May, but otherwise a poor year.

Warks Two at Draycote on April 29 and three on May 1, when also singles at Lea Marston and Ufton. In autumn one at Brandon on October 29 and another at Draycote on November 4.

Worcs Singles at Upton Warren on April 19, May 1 and 10; two at Bittell on May 20 and one from July 22 to 27.

Staffs Singles at Blithfield on April 30; a building-site scrape at Perton on May 3 and at Branston on May 16.

61

Little Stint The large numbers encountered elsewhere in England did not materialise in the West Midlands.

Warks One spring record, from Draycote on May 26. Autumn records from Alvecote, where one on August 17; Draycote, where up to five between September 8 and 14 and one on November 8 and Kingsbury W P, where three from September 9 to 12, reducing to one by 1 7, with another on October 1.

Worcs One at Upton Warren on August 22 and 23, with two on September 7. One at Holt G P from August 28 to 31.

Staffs One at Belvide on June 17 was unusual. At Blithfield there were two on August 2, then usually four but a maximum of eight from September 8 to 24 and one on October 1. Up to four stayed at Chasewater from September 14 to 16 and one occurred on October 3.

Temminck's Stint / Warks One at Ladywalk on May 21 and 22 JAA, ARD, PDH, BLK. Worcs Two at Upton Warren on May 26 AFJ—a regular event

nowadays. '

Pectoral Sandpiper Worcs One present at Bittell from September 18 to 21 was watched by

many observers RFWH, SH, AJR, SMH.

Curlew Sandpiper Blithfield apart, numbers were small and localities few in view of large passage reported elsewhere in England.

Warks One at Ladywalk on August 7 and three at Draycote on September 8 with one remaining the following day.

Worcs An early bird at Bittell on July 15 was followed by fout-on August 20, one of which remained until 30. Upton Warren had two from August 20 to 23 and again on September 9.

Staffs Record numbers at Blithfield, beginning with one on August 30 and increasing to 13 on September 3, 31 on September 8 and 37 on September 10 ARMB, ESC, ARD, PAG, PDH, DS, GS. Subsequently declined and last seen on September 28. The only other record was four at Branston on September 19.

Purple Sandpiper An unusual year, with three records all on early dates.

Warks One at Kingsbury W P on July 7 JEF and another at Draycote on August 4 RCM.

Staffs One at Blithfield from August 10 to 1 5 ESC, ARD, MJI, EGP.

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Dunlin A poor year notwithstanding seemingly good conditions. Monthly maxima at principal waters:

J F M A M J J A S 0 N D

Alvecote 3 8 1 2 2 4 5 5 4 Brandon — — — — 10 — — .— — — 6 7 Draycote 18 18 2 0 7 15 — 3 4 4 5 15 26 Kingsbury W P — — — 2 6 3 2 2 6 2 9 3 Ladywalk — — 1 1 9 — 1 2 3 — .— —

Packington — — — — 10 — — — — — — —

Bittell 3 — 3 — 3 3 5 3 3 Holt G P — — — — — — — 12 6 3 — —

Upton Warren — — 2 7 17 — 1 1 4 4 — 4 Wilden — — — — 7 — — — — — — —

Belvide 1 1 2 3 10 1 2 1 9 6 1 Blithfield — — 1 1 3 — 10 10 18 24 27 14 Branston 20 1 30 26 3 0 Chasewater — — — — 1 — 3 4 16 4 4 12

On May 3, 22 frequented a flooded field near Kingsbury and in late December 14 were reported roosting in a field near Draycote CHP. Smaller numbers were reported from a dozen other localities.

Buff-breasted Sandpiper

\ A

Staffs One at Chasewater on September 14 GE et a/ was the first record for the county and Club's area of this North American vagrant. A wader a little larger than Dunlin, w i th short, straight, dark bill and dull orange-yellow legs. Head small and round, golden brown; mantle beautifully patterned wi th dark brown-black feather centres and golden edgings; underparts buff, paler on lower belly, w i th slight streaking on sides of breast.

63

Ruff A poor year for numbers, but an interesting sequence of spring birds in the Tame Valley and very unusual winter records at Blithfield. Monthly maxima:

M A M J J A S 0 N D

Alvecote 3 3 Brandon — 1 — — 3 1 3 — — —

Draycote — — — — — 4 6 — — 1 Kingsbury W P — 1 — — 1 2 1 — — —

Ladywalk 1 2 — — 2 1 1 — — —

Aston Mill 3 Bittell — — — — 2 9 4 — — —

Holt G P — — — — — 3 3 — — —

Uplon Warren — — — 1 6 3 — — —

Belvide 1 1 Blithfield — 1 — — — 6 7 6 4 2 Branston 1 1 Chasewater 1 Perton 1 Tillington — — — — — 6 — — — —

Jack Snipe A verage: October 8 (36) to April 4 (33) Last noted on April 29 at Minworth, with first return at Blithfield on October 7.

Warks Singles, rarely two, reported irregularly in January and February and from October to December at Brandon (maximum of three), Draycote, Earlswood, Kingsbury W P, Ladywalk, Leamington, Packington and Shustoke.

Worcs Scarcer than usual, but up to seven at Wilden and four each at Bittell and Upton Warren on isolated occasions. Singles at Holt G P, Northwick and Stour Hill.

Staffs Winter or autumn reports from Belvide (up to six), Blithfield, Branston (up to three), Chasewater (up to six) and Whitmore Heath, where 12 on March 24. Apart from these peak numbers, generally scarce.

W Mid Up to four until April 29 and one or two from October 1 5 onwards at Minworth. One in Sandwell Valley on April 2.

Snipe Warks Three or four breeding pairs at Alvecote, where totals reached 40

in January, 30 in September and 50 in October. Two or three pairs bred at Brandon, where up to 30 in both winter and autumn. Apart from an exceptional 70 on February 27, numbers at Ladywalk were low. Up to 150 in the Leam Meadows near Leamington in winter.

64

Worcs Perhaps 15 or 20 pairs bred at Wilden, where maximum of 80 in November; In Auguot there were 50 at Upton Warren and 70 at Holt, the latter building up to 200 in September.

Staffs No data on breeding status. Belvide held 15 to 30 between January and March, up to 50 in late October and 80 in November. At Blithfield the maximum was 180 on September 24, but numbers quickly declined thereafter. On February 1 5 there were 53 near Burton-on-Trent; on March 23 230 at Whitmore Heath and at Branston 40 in September and 178 in December, whilst up to 60 wintered at Whittington.

W Mid At Minworth there were up to 47 in February, 104 in October and 80 in December.

Woodcock No indication of any change in status. Current research is showing the estimation of breeding numbers from observation of roding birds to be exceptionally difficult and complicated.

Black-tailed Godwit Warks Spring passage brought one to Alvecote on April 1; three to

Brandon on April 22, with two remaining until May 1 when a further five flew over; two to Ladywalk on April 30 and three to Draycote on May 3. Only one autumn record, of four at Alvecote on August 29 and 30.

Staffs Singles at Belvide from April 2 to 9, July 6 and August 28. One at Blithfield on July 29 and 30.

Bar-tailed Godwit Warks All records in spring with one at Ladywalk between April 24 and

May 1, one at Kingsbury on May 3 and two at Brandon on May 21. One at Draycote from April 25 to 29, two on May 5, three on May 6 and two on May 24 and 29.

Worcs Four at Bittell on April 30 was the only spring record. In autumn singles at Upton Warren on August 12 and Bittell on September 9, with three at Holt on September 20.

Staffs None in spring. Singles at Stafford on July 25, Branston on September 24 and Blithfield on September 28.

WMid One at Bartley on September 28.

Whimbrel Warks Up to three passed through Draycote between April 21 and May

10, except for nine on May 3. Elsewhere singles at Kingsbury W P on April 20, 27 and 30 and May 18; Ladywalk on April 24, May 9 and August 1; Cotonon April 30; near Kingsbury on May 3 and Lea Marston on August 20.

65

Worcs One at Bittell on April 29 and singles at Upton Warren,on April 22 and 23 and May 5 and 7 followed by three on May 9.

Staffs A poor year. Two passed over Belvide on April 30. One at Blithfield on May 9, two on July 22 and one on August 28. One flew over Chasewater on September 6.

Curlew Warks Scattered records, mainly from the Tame Valley, involving small

numbers. " Worcs Up to 50 in the usual spring and autumn roost at Upton Warren

and up to 27 at Tardebigge in late August. Staffs At Tittesworth, 50 on March 4. The most recorded at Whittington

was 140 on October 24.

Spotted Redshank Warks One at Alvecote from April 1 to 9 followed by a series of records

between August 20 and October 15, with up to seven in early September and eight on September 23. Brandon held one on August 14, three on September 14, two on September 25 and one on October 11. Singles occurred at Draycote on June 16, August 10, September 7 and October 10; Coton on August 19 and 20 and Lea Marston on August 19, 20 and 24. Recorded at Kingsbury W P, usually singly, between August 12 and September 17, with up to five in early September; whilst Ladywalk had singles on June 17 and September 16, with two on September 18.

Worcs Two at Aston Mill on September 9. Singles at Bittell on August 14 and 20 and Holt on May 2, September 12 and 17. Singles at Upton Warren on April 29 and between August 12 and 30, with two from August 24 to 26 and again on September 19.

Staffs Singles at Belvide on March 30 and September 3 and 7 were followed by three on October 1. Noted at Blithfield between August 13 and September 19, singles until the end of August and then up to five. The species is exceptional at Chasewater, but one was present on September 1 and 2, with two the next day. One at Rickerscote on the unusual date of December 26 FCG.

Redshank Warks Small numbers, including a few breeding pairs, at the usual Tame

Valley localities. Generally fewer in winter, but eight on January 2 at Brandon, where two pairs bred.

Worcs No indications of any substantial change. Staffs Usual small numbers at many wetland sites. WMid Spring records from Bartley, Meriden, Minworth and Sandwell

Valley.

66

Graenshank Gonorally poor numbers; Onoc and twoc at covoral localitioc in late spring and autumn and one at Willenhall on March 29. Otherwise monthly maxima:

A M J J A S 0

Brandon 2 1 — 1 1 Coton — — — — 4 — —

Draycote — 1 — 1 6 3 —

Kingsbury W P — 1 — 1 3 4 — I atfywaik — — — 7 7 —

Lea Marston — — — — 6 — —

Upton Warren — — — 2 8 1

Blithfield 1 7 7 9 8 4 Branston 4

Green Sandpiper Warks Recorded in every month, with peaks in July-August and

November-December, from twelve localities. Maxima reported were seven at Shustoke, 1 6 in August at Brandon and Ladywalk and 12 in November at Kingsbury W P.

Worcs Recorded in every month except February from eight localities. Maxima of eight in July at Aston Mill; with 15 in the same month and 12 in August at Upton Warren and up to seven at Wilden from July to December.

Staffs No February, April or June records. Six of the nine localities had one record only and five of these involved just one bird, so considerably scarcer than in Warwickshire. One or two were noted fairly frequently at Belvide, up to seven occurred at Blithfield in July and three at Branston in September.

WMid Up to three birds on a few occasions at Bartley, Meriden and Minworth in April, August and September.

W o o d Sandpiper Warks Singles at Coton on May 20 and Ladywalk on June 15. Autumn

passage brought singles to Brandon on July 6 and from August 29 to September 4 and to Alvecote on August 13. Records from Coton, where one on August 13 and 19 and two on August 20 and 21; Ladywalk, where singles on August 13, 18, 23 and 24 and Lea Marston, where up to three between August 1 9 and 24, may have involved the same birds moving from place to place.

Worcs Spring records from Wilden on May 7, Bittell on May 13 and Upton Warren on May 21 and June 6 and 7 all involved single birds. Autumn records from Bittell, where one on July 14, three on August 6 and one on 18; and Upton Warren, where one on July 19, two from August 2 to 4 and then three until August 20.

67

Staffs Another wader which produced a poor showing in the county, with just three singles, at Blithfield on April 23, Belvide on August 26 and between Stoke and Stone on September 28.

W Mid Singles at Meriden on August 10 and 20, with two on August 11.

Common Sandpiper Average:April 7 (42) to October 19 (38) Excluding wintering individuals, first noted on April 16 at Blithfield, with many records in the next week. Last records from Bittell on September 30 and Bartley on October 5. Monthly maxima at principal localities'.

J F M A M J J A S 0 N D

Alvecote — — 1 1 2 1 7 4 2 — —

Draycote — — 1 4 4 — 1 0 9 4 1 — —

Kingsbury W P — — — 4 16 1 8 17 4 — — —

Ladywalk — — — 6 1 — 6 1 0 2 — — —

Aston Mill 1 5 Bittell — — — 2 1 — 9 12 1 — — —

Upton Warren — — — 4 4 1 1 0 6 1 — — —

Wilden — — — 1 a — 3 11 — — — —

Belvide 2 9 6 13 6 Blithfield 1 1 1 8 1 3 15 2 0 2 — 2 1 Chasewater — — — 1 4 — 2 7 2 — — — •

Kings Bromley — — — — — — 12 — 1 — —

Many other scattered sightings. Staffs One pair reported breeding in the north of the county BR. There

was a record spring total of 29 at Belvide on April 22.

Turnstone Warks Spring passage at Draycote, where four between April 25 and

May 13 peaking at seven on May 2; and Kingsbury W P, where three on May 1 and one on May 8. Return passage at the same localities, with up to three at Draycote between July 21 and August 29; and one at Kingsbury W P on July 29 followed by 11 on August 20 KAL.

Worcs One remained at Upton Warren from April 23 to 27. Singles occurred at Bittell on July 30 and August 20-

Staffs Spring records from Belvide, where four on May 1 and one on May 3; and Chasewater, where one on May 12. Return passage at Blithfield, where singles from July 26 to 31 and on August 20; Belvide, where three on September 7; and Chasewater where singles on September 14, 15 and 27. A late bird at Belvide on December 31.

68

Red-necked Phalarope

Worcs One well-watched bird at Bittell on August 20 KC, RFWH, SH, RM.

Grey Phalarope Warks One at Draycote on November 16 CHP.

Pomarine Skua Warks An immature feeding on a dead Black-headed Gull at Draycote on

December 31 OLL, TWL was also seen on January 2, 1979. The second record for the county, the first being in 1869.

^

Arctic Skua Worcs One at Bittell on September 1 per KC. Staffs Two adults (one light, one dark) paused briefly at Belvide on April

30 before continuing north GE.

Little Gull Warks At Draycote, three (one adult) on April 1 7, two immatures on 1 8,

one remaining until 23, one adult on 25, two on May 1, five immatures on May 31, and singles on August 24 and September 8 PJB, PJF. An immature at Kingsbury W P from April 23 BLK, KAL to May 1 many observers.

Worcs An immature at Wilden on August 24 BW and single adults at Upton Warren on September 24 AFJ and Bittell on December 9 KCH.

Staffs An immature at Belvide on September 10 PKD, and an adult at Blithfield on July 28 ARMB, JCE-D followed by two immatures on August 20 many observers. Two adults at Chasewater on May 9 GE and a first winter bird on December 9 ARD.

WMid An adult at Edgbaston Reservoir on August 1 ARMB.

69

Black-headed Gull Hard weather in mid-February resulted in an influx at some roosts.

Warks The Draycote roost, although smaller than in previous years, remains the largest in the Club's area, with 40000 estimated on January 7 GHH, JVH. 5000 at Ladywalk on February 13 and at Kingsbury W P on 22. 3500 roosted at Shustoke on January 30, increasing to about 25000 by February 12; and at least 11000 were noted on December 6. Flight-feeding on ash seeds and elderberries noted in autumn at Willey. Fewer reported feeding on pasture in the county at the end of the year, perhaps a result of the dry autumn.

Worcs On January 12, 2500 noted at Bittell and 4000 at Westwood Park.

Staffs 10000 roosted at Belvide on January 11, 12000 at Blithfield on November 19, and 3180 at Westport Lake on December 22. 5000 roosted at Chasewater at the end of the year, when 50-60 corpses may have been the result of botulism. (Smaller numbers of Herring and Lesser Black-backed Gulls also died.)

WMid 8000 roosted at Bartley on December 17, when an influx also occurred at Edgbaston Resrvoir.

Common Gull Warks Good numbers in winter at Draycote, where 2000 estimated on

January 7 GRH, JVH. Remains scarce in the north of the county, with 12 at Kingsbury W P on May 11 being the maximum reported.

Worcs Small numbers (maximum eight) at five sites. Staffs Up to 19 noted at Belvide, 2 0 at Chasewater, 10 at Blithfield, and

16 at Westport. 23 at Hanchurch on January 1. WMid Most records from Bartley, where 20 roosted on February 11.

Lesser Black-backed Gull Warks 6000 estimated at Draycote on January 7 and 500 at Packington

in January. Worcs 1500 at Westwood Park on January 12; 400, with only 50

Herring Gulls, at Gallows Green tip on January 22, and a maximum of 900 in the Bittell roost in December. Up to 75, mainly immatures, at Beckford in June.

Staffs 2000 roosted at Blithfield in January and November, 2500 at Chasewater on December 2 and 700 on December 10 at Belvide where a bird of the Scandinavian race was present on January 28. A few roosted at Westport, but most birds from the Potteries apparently roost in Cheshire. Strong N and NW passage over Belvide in spring, with reverse movement over Westlands in July and August.

WMid 1000 roosted at Bartley in early December.

70

Herring Gull Fewer than usual present in winter roosts.

Warks 3000 at Draycote on January 7. Worcs 350 at Bittell and 300 at Westwood Park on January 12. Staffs 1000 at Blithfield on January 8; 800 at Belvide on January 11;

and at least 200 on December 2 at Chasewater, where a yellow-legged bird present on January 14 RAH.

Iceland Gull A poor year for the species.

Staffs A second-year bird at Chasewater on March 4 ARD and probably the same bird at Bridgetown subsidence pools the next day MJH.

Glaucous or Iceland Gull Warks An immature at Coleshill tip on February 18 GFA.

Glaucous Gull Warks At Draycote, an adult noted from January 3 JAA to 15 JAA, EGP,

and single immatures from January 29 to February 12 and on December 8 JAA, TWL, RCM and 1 5 CR.

Worcs An immature at Westwood Park on January 9 and February 3 CPB, and probably the same bird at Worcester tip on the latter date GHG.

Staffs At Belvide, a first-year bird from March 18 to 30 DS and an adult on December 23 EGP. At Blithfield, a second-year bird on January 29 ESC, ARD, an adult on February 5 RSA, ESC, ARD and 12 ARD, and a first-year bird on March 5 JCE-D, ARD, PDH. At Chasewater, a first-year bird reported on January 2 JAA, a probable second-year bird on 12 ARD and 14 ARD, RAH, a different second-year bird on February 18 ESC, ARD, RAH and 19 ARMB, RFWH, and an adult on December 17 JEF. A second-year bird at Branston on January 17 JCE-D, with an adult on December 16 and an immature on 27 KE, MSS.

W Mid A first or second-year bird at New Invention on January 7 EGP. A first-year bird at Bartley on January 15 KRF, an adult from 21 RFWH, GJM to 30 ARD, and single immatures from 30 ARD until February 19 AJH and from December 29 MSS into 1979, although confusion arose with the appearance of an immature leucistic Herring or Glaucous hybrid on February 8 and 9 RFWH, JHWR.

Great Black-backed Gull Warks 100 at Draycote on January 7, nine at Ladywalk on November 23

and 35 at Kingsbury W P on December 1 6. Worcs One or two in winter at a few sites: 19 at Frankley on December

12 presumably roosted at Bartley.

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Staffs Fewer than in recent years, with no more than six at Belvide and 1 5 at Blithfield, but 40 at Chasewater on February 4. Up to eight at a few other localities.

WMid 30 roosted at Bartley on December 12.

Kitt iwake Warks An immature at Draycote on March 1 5 DIP, nine adults on May 4

PJF, with two on 5 GRH, JVH. An immature departed SW at Coton on April 30 PDH.

Worcs Adults seen at Bittell on February 3 JAA, April 8 RFWH, GJM and 13 many observers.

Staffs Single adults at Belvide on January 20 DS and flying NW on May 1 RFWH, GJM, and an immature found dead on December 27 IRM, JPM, NCM. An adult at Blithfield on March 31 BB, with three on April 16 many observers. Two immatures at Chasewater on September 16 SMH and one at Branston on October 1 KCH, INR, MSS. An adult at Westport on October 15 WJL, IRM.

WMid An adult at Bartley on February 10 INR, an immature on 11 AJH, AWH, MSS, an adult and immature on "\SAJH, MSS, two adults on 25 and an immature on December 30AJH.

Sandwich Tern Warks Singles at Draycote on April 1 7 PJF, May 3 PJB, PJF, DIP and 7

PJF, GRH, JVH, TWL, with two on May 8 PJB, RFWH, MJI. Staffs One flew NW over Seabridge on May 31 IRM.

Common Tern A fairly good passage during May 1 to 10. Average autumn numbers.

Warks 12 at Draycote on May 3, 14 at Earlswood on May 8 and 13 at Ladywalk were the only parties exceeding ten birds.

Staffs Possibly bred at Branston.

Arctic Tern An exceptionally good spring passage, with about 535 occurring during adverse weather conditions between April 18 and May 12. Very few noted in autumn. Maxima included:

Warks 38 on April 27 and 44 on May 2 at Draycote; 35 on May 1 and 44 on May 6 at Kingsbury W P.

Worcs 16 on May 2 at Bittell, where eight on July 9 was an unusual record.

Staffs 18 on April 18, 58 on May 6 and 27 on May 8 at Belvide and 21 at Chasewater on May 7.

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Common/Arctic Tern Parties of up to 20 widespread in late April and early May, most of these probably referring to Arctic Terns. ' ~

WMid 28 flew over Knowle on May 1. Common, Arctic and Black Terns: Summated totals of maxima at all localities, 1978 1 = 1 st to 15th 2 = 16th to 3 0 t h or 31st .

April 2

M a y 1 2

June 1 2

July 1 2

Aug 1 2

Sept 1 2

Oct 1

Common 14 1 0 8 13 16 2 7 3 6 14 13 2 9 2 6 4 5 Arctic 1 5 9 3 7 9 2 4 1 11 1 1 1 1 1 4 Black 5 18 18 3 3 1 2 2 6 2 4 14 7 2 3

Little Tern Singles at Draycote on May 5 PJF and Kingsbury W P on May 14 and 1 6 JAA, BLK, with two at Brandon on May 19 BMCG. One at Ladywalk on August 20 HTL. Singles at Bittell on July 26 JMD, RFWH and August 1 GCB, RFWH, GJM. Singles at Blithfield on May 14 GS and July 13 MJt and Belvide on August 24 JW.

One at Brierley Hill Pools on May 3 BMM.

Black Tern A very poor year, the only parties reaching double figures being:

Warks A late party of 21 at Draycote on October 12. Staffs 1 5 at Belvide on August 1. W Mid 10 at Witton Lakes on August 20.

White-winged Black Tern Staffs An immature at Blithfield on September 7 LGC, KV.

Stock Dove Warks Breeds commonly at Packington Park, where 50 on January 28.

50 also at Draycote in July; 26 at Ladywalk in August and September and 2 0 0 at Hartshill on November 12.

Worcs 75 at Longdon Marsh on January 1 and 100 near Highwood on March 11.

Staffs 50 at Blithfield in February. WMid Only two breeding pairs at Pensnett Coppice. 41 at Minworth S F

on January 22.

Woodpigeon Several flocks of up to 500 reported.

Worcs 1500 roosted in conifers at Clent on April 15. WMid 600 at Minworth S F on February 16.

Warks

Worcs

Staffs

WMid

73

Collared Dove Reports declining, perhaps along with observers' interest in the species. Has the species' change in status to that of "pest" resulted in a decline in numbers?

Worcs 50 at Kemerton on February 19 and 60 in a West Hagley garden on September 12.

Turtle Dove Average:April 26 (43) to September24 (43) First reported from Kingsbury W P on April 23, but not widespread until the first week of May. Widespread until mid-September and last noted at Westwood on September 26.

Warks Noted at 11 sites, with six singing at Old Arley in June. A total of 12 flew south at Kingsbury W P on August 28.

Worcs Noted at 14 sites, with five singing at Eymore Wood on May 21 At least nine at Beckford on June 11.

Staffs Noted at six sites.

Cuckoo Average:April 11 (42) to September 5 (41) First records on April 22 at Bittell, Brandon, Stourport and Aqualate were quickly followed by many more in the next few days. Late birds on August 30 at Brandon and September 3 at Blackbrook Valley. Widespread but thinly distributed.

Warks Fewer than usual reported at Earlswood and Willey.

Barn O w l Warks Noted at 10 sites, with breeding at Offchurch Bury. Worcs Noted at 18 sites, with breeding at Wilden. Three corpses found

along motorways and dual carriageways. One crossed a floodlit pitch during a football match at Worcester on November 6.

Staffs Noted at 1 5 sites. WMid One at Northfield on July 13.

Little Owl Nine road casualties reported.

Warks Noted at 20 sites, with breeding at Brandon, Hartshill S F, Newbold Comyn, probably at Packington Park, and possibly at Willey.

Worcs Noted at 36 sites, with breeding at Croome, Hanbury and Upton Warren.

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Staffs Noted at 30 sites, with breeding at Belvide, Gradbach and Himley Park. 12 lenilOiies. known within on area of 30 km? around Wheaton Aston DS, the density of 0 -4 pairs per km2 being very similar to that found in the Coventry-Rugby census of 1967.

WMid Noted at Bartley, Halesowen and Pedmore, and bred at Norton and Walsgrave. One in the built-up area of Stourbridge on August 31.

Tawny Owl A widespread resident, including suburban and even urban areas (e.g. Edmund Street, Birmingham).

Long-eared O w l Warks Singles at Brandon from January 15 to February 12 BMCG, at

Kingsbury W P on February 4 and 5 JEF, SMH, and at Alvecote on May 3 CJH.

Staffs A pair present at Coombes Valley per FCG, at Cannock Chase on March 1, and two roosting in Willow scrub at Chasewater on December 12 and 13 BMM.

Short-eared Owl An exceptional influx of about 48 birds occurred from late October onwards.

Warks Singles at Brandon in January and February; at Coton and Draycote on January 8; at Lea Marston in January, on April 7 and May 9; at Kingsbury W P in May and August and soaring over Barton on July 16. At the end of the year noted at Brandon (two), Draycote (up to four), Kingsbury W P (up to four), Ladywalk (up to three), Marston Dales (one at night in car headlights on November 1), Newbold-on-Avon (one on November 4), Nuneaton (up to four), Stratford riverside meadows (up to five) and Willey (one). Two birds flying SW over Hartshill on October 28 were probably of this species.

Worcs Two at Bittell on October 21 and one at Holt on November 12 and 1 9 .

Staffs On the moors, up to three noted at Gib Tor between March and July, with one on December 28, when also noted near Flash. One at Merryton Low on April 8 and at Swallow Moss in winter. Singles at Chasewater on January 1, Branston on January 14, Belvide on November 20 and Old Acre Valley on December 16, with four at Berry Hill in early November.

WMid One flew high over Dudley suburbs on October 27 and singles occurred at Bartley on November 5; Woodgate Valley on February 4 and from November 19 to 26; Sandwell Valley in late November and early December and Solihull on December 14 and 17. Seven stayed at New Invention from late October into 1979, frequently straying to Essington (Staffs).

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Nightjar Average: May 16 (38) to August 22 (29) No records until June 8 at Brindley Heath. The bird at Belvide on August 6 was the last reported.

Worcs One churred in young conifers at a new locality on July 7 and 10. Staffs Usual records from Cannock Chase. Two churring birds noted at

Kinver Edge, one pair probably breeding. An unusual record of one flushed from the dam wall at Belvide on August 6 KV.

Swif t Average:April 23 (44) to September 24 (44) First arrival at Brandon on April 22, but main influx did not occur until early May. Again stayed very late, with birds about a fortnight late in leaving their breeding colonies. Parties up to 4 0 could still be seen in October and the last records were from Wheaton Aston on November 18 MB and Tettenhall— Wolverhampton between November 16 and 24 SM.

Warks 200 at Alvecote on July 8. Worcs Up to 600 at Bittell in June and 300 over reeds at Oakley in July. Staffs Numbers in early May at Belvide rapidly built up to 800 by 12,

with subsequent feeding flocks of up to 3000 in bad weather in June and 800 on July 1. 300 at Chasewater on May 14. About 5000 at Blithfield on June 10, of which 1280 counted moving N. Partial albinos noted at Blithfield on June 25 and at Westlands on September 27, the markings of the latter resembling Alpine Swift. Strong S movements noted at Westlands between September 16 and October 10, with a maximum of 280 on September 1 7.

Kingfisher Wafks Noted at 18 sites, with breeding at Brandon, Ladywalk (at least

three pairs), Leamington—Offchurch (three pairs), Preston Bagot, and probably at Alvecote.

Worcs Noted at 25 sites with breeding at Bittell, Dowles Brook, Grimley (two pairs), Ribbesford and Upton Warren.

Staffs Noted at 16 sites, with breeding at Belvide, Chillington, Prestwood, and probably at Copmere.

WMid Bred at Edgbaston Park, Sandwell Valley (in canal bridge) and attempted at Bournville. Also noted at Coventry canal, Halesowen and Hall Green.

Hoopoe Staffs One flew into the county over the Trent at Branston on May 23

JCE-D and one flew over the M6 at Acton Trussel on May 26 GE. W Mid One reported in a garden at Knowle in early June DP.

Wryneck Warks One found dead at Barford around May 23 PC.

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Green Woodpecker Warks Noted at 21 sites, wi th two pairs breeding at Leamington Spa

Reservoir. Worcs Noted at 1 7 sites, with breeding at Bittell, Island Pool and Wilden,

where probably four pairs. Staffs Noted at 10 sites, wi th breeding at Longsdon and Sherbrook

Valley. W Mid One heard at Knowle on May 4.

Great Spotted Woodpecker Warks Noted at 11 sites, wi th breeding at Kingsbury W P, Leamington

Spa (unsuccessful), probably at Alvecote, and possibly at Hockley Heath.

Worcs Noted at 24 sites, with breeding at Bittell. A bird believed to be of the northern race joined local birds at suet baskets at Sinton Green from December^ to 7 SWW.

Staffs Noted at 26 sites, wi th breeding at Belvide for the first time, Fradley Wood, Rough Knipe (four pairs) and probably Copmere; five pairs bred in about three km2 of mainly deciduous woodland at Chillington.

WMid Noted at 1 5 sites.

Lesser Spotted Woodpecker

Warks Noted at 14 sites, wi th breeding at Newbold Comyn and Packington Park (probably two pairs).

Worcs Noted at 18 sites. Bred at Bittell. Staffs Noted at 18 sites, with breeding at Blithfield, Coombes Valley and

Rough Knipe (three pairs). WMid Noted at Bartley, an Erdington garden, Minworth, a Solihull

garden, Sutton Park, in summer at Edgbaston Park and drumming at Bournville.

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Skylark Warks 10-12 breeding pairs at Alvecote. Wintering numbers have

declined markedly at Ladywalk in recent years. 100 in permanent pasture at Long Lawford on January 22 and in stubble at Clifford Chambers on December 24.

Worcs 100 at Bredon Hill on March 19. Staffs 85 at Seabridge on February 5 and 1 50 at Whiston on 11.

Sand Martin Average: March 23 (43) to October 9 (43) Generally arrived late, but early arrivals at Chillington and Draycote on March 12 and Belvide the next day. Reported regularly through September, with late birds at Belvide on October 1 and Burton on October 22. Perhaps slowly recovering in numbers.

Warks Nested in banks of River Leam and, for the first time in several years, the River Tame at Ladywalk. No more than 15 noted at Alvecote. 400 at Kingsbury W P on September 3.

Worcs Good numbers noted on passage at Bittell. 90 nests at Beckford, 130 at Holt and 70 at Grimley.

Staffs 750 at Chasewater on August 27, 200 on May 24 was the maximum at Belvide. Both Branston colonies reduced due to pit work.

Swallow Average: April 1 (44) to November 2 (44) Late arrival, with the first at Belvide on April 1, but not widespread until mid-month. Main departure in late September and early October, with the last at Belvide on October 28.

Warks 3000 roosted at Ladywalk as late as September 21 and 5000 roosted at Camp Hill, Nuneaton, on September 9, declining to 60 by 25. Steady S movement at Kingsbury W P on October 2.

Worcs 300 at Bittell on May 6. 4 0 0 0 roosted in reedmace at Holt on September 7, declining to 400 by mid-month, but increasing to 2000 on 23.

Staffs 1000 on April 30 and May 1 at Blithfield, where an almost complete albino juvenile present on July 20 and 22. At Belvide no more than six before April 20, increasing to 300 by May 1; a very early juvenile there on June 3 had presumably been reared earlier in Southern Europe; 500 flew south on October 1. 2000 roosted at Ford Green on August 1 5.

WMid Up to 30 on spring passage at Edgbaston Reservoir and 2000 at Minworth SF on August 22.

78

House Martin Average: April 9 (44) to October 31 (44) First noted on April 16 at Blithfield, but not widespread for another week. Regularly reported until the third week of October, with a late bird at Westlands on November 1. 200 at Fillongley on September 9. At Bittell 1 50 on May 1 and "exceptional" numbers in autumn. At Belvide 300 on June 24, 200 on August 31 and 100 on October 1. 4 0 0 Blithfield on May 14; 160 Seabridge on September 26; 250 at Gailey on September 29; 269 flying S at Westlands on October 8 and at least 400 likewise at Hickerscote on October 10. 60 nests at Hanchurch water tower.

Tree Pipit Average: April 8 (41) to September 20 (39) Two at Brandon on April 1 5, but not regularly reported for another week. No information on departure. A few scattered records of passage birds.

Warks Singing birds noted at Old Arley and near Hockley Heath (two) and several pairs bred at Packington Park.

Worcs Singing birds noted at Calcot Hill (two), Chaddesley Woods (two), Craycombe, Eymore (two), Habberley Valley (two), Hartlebury Common (two), Island Pool, near Kidderminster (two), Lenchwick (three), Lickeys, Monkwood (two-four), Stourport, Trench (three), Walton Hill (four), and Wyre Forest (14 on May 7, with 30 birds on June 18).

Staffs Singing birds noted at Blithfield, Brocton Coppice (five), Chillington, Coombes Valley (eight pairs, compared with 20 in 1977), Kinver Edge (seven), Seven Springs, and Sherbrook Valley (nine). Breeding not proved at Fradley Wood for the first time since 1971.

WMid One sang in Sutton Park, one at Aldridge on June 1 7, and one on May 3 was only the second record this century for Edgbaston Park.

M e a d o w Pipit Warks Noted on passage at Willey until April 1 5 and from September 16,

90 on October 14 at Ladywalk, where one or two pairs nested. One sang at Old Arley in June.

Worcs About 20 pairs bred at Clent and five at Hartlebury Common. 50 at Upton Warren on April 16, 1 50 at Walton Hill on September 8, and up to 100 in October at Wilden, where probably bred. One fed within 2 metre-high maize crop at Little Malvern on November 1.

Warks Worcs Staffs

79

Staffs 50 at Belvide in January was unusual for the locality; 43 flew N on April 2, and spring passage lasted until 22, later than usual. 140 at Blithfield on March 30 and 100 on November 12. 50 at Seabridge on March 24 and April 11, 70 at Roach End on April 8, 60 at Whitmore Heath on March 24. Autumn passage began August 28 at Westlands, September 3 at Belvide, and an early influx of 80 occurred at Chasewater on September 2, with similar numbers until October 8.

W Mid 43 flew WSW over Hall Green in 25 minutes on September 30 and up to 100 noted at Bartley in early October.

Rock Pipit Rather few, except at Draycote. The absence of early spring records was unusual. Small influx around October 7.

Warks One or two at Draycote from October 9 PJB to November 5 GRH with the high total of eight on October 14 PJF.

Worcs Singles at Upton Warren on October 7 AFJ and Wilden the next day BW.

Staffs At Belvide, two on October 7 and three on 8 DS. At Blithfield one on October 15 ARMB; two, plus a Rock or Water Pipit, on October 28 CR, and one on ?9 RFWH, MJI.

WMid One at Bartley on February 22 PAM, an unusual date.

Water Pipit Warks One at Draycote on April 9 JAA. Worcs A late bird at Upton Warren on April 27 GCB. Occurred for the

seventh successive year at Wilden, where one from January to March, three on March 5, two until the end of the month and one on April 2 TCEL, RM, BW. Usually three from October 19 to the end of the year with four on November 24 and December 10 A/AV, RM, BW.

Staffs One at Blithfield on April 9 many observers.

Yellow Wagtai l Average:April 1 (42) to October 10 (42) One at Blithfield on April 2, but generally late with few birds until late April, when there was a strong passage. Regularly seen until early October, with the last at Ladywalk on October 7, apart from an isolated record from Coventry on November 4 WGL.

Warks 80 at Draycote on April 27, 40 at Kingsbury W P on 24 (including 35 males) and May 6, 50 roosted at Brandon on August 27. Four to six breeding pairs at Alvecote and a decline in numbers noted at Willey.

Worcs At least 75 at Bittell on April 25 and 50 at Upton Warren on 26. Five or six breeding pairs at Holt, where 1 50 roosted in reedmace on September 18 and 19.

80

Staffs 80 at Blithfield on April 30 and May 14 and 30 on May 3 at Chasewater, where unusually common in early autumn. Four to six pairs bred at Belvide. 450 roosted at Doxey on August 9 and 70 at Ford Green on August 1 5.

Blue-headed Wagtai l Birds showing the characteristics of this race were noted as follows:

Worcs A male at Upton Warren from April 26 RFWH, MJI to May 9 JTB, with a bird resembling M.f.beema on May 1 AFJ. One at Bittell on May 28 KC.

Staffs Single males at Branston on April 28 RAD, MSS; Blithfield from April 29 PAG to May 20 JPM, NCM and Belvide from May 3 to 7 SKW.

WMid One at Bartley on May 9 KCH and a male at Minworth S F from May 13 to 20 RSA.JAE.

Grey Wagtai l Most records occurred during September-November, when the species was widely recorded.

Warks Noted at 10 sites outside the breeding season. Bred at Ladywalk, Leamington Spa Reservoir, Middleton, Newbold Comyn, Preston Bagot and Radford Bottom Lock,

Worcs Noted at 25 sites outside the breeding season, with up to five at Upton Warren. Bred at Belbroughton, Brakemill Pool, Captain's Pool, Churchill, Clent, Dowles Brook (two or three pairs), Hurcott Pool, Salwarpe, Sling and possibly Bittell. Present during the breeding season at Blakedown, Broome, Eymore Wood, Goosehill Wood, Island Pool, West Hagley and Wissetts Wood (two pairs).

Staffs Noted at 12 sites outside the breeding season. Bred at Keele and probably at Swindon.

WMid Noted outside the breeding season at 16 sites, including very urban areas. Bred at Edgbaston Reservoir (unsuccessful?) and probably Saltley canal.

Pied Wagtai l Warks 200 roosted at Brandon on October 7. Worcs Roosted in reedmace at Holt G P from September to November,

with up to 200 in September, 1 500 on October 1 5 and at least 700 on November 4. 100 roosted, also in reedmace, at Aston Mill Pit on November 5. 150 roosted in a disused canal at Droitwich on February 5 and 200 in meadowsweet at Wilden on October 10. 80 noted at Bittell on January 25.

Staffs 80 at Blithfield on August 16. 25 flew S at Belvide on October 1 and 30 present on October 8.

81

Whi te Wagtail Warks Up to four at Draycote from April 6 PJF to May 7 TWL. One or

two at Brandon from April 12 to 29 BMCG and singles at Kingsbury W P on April 29 ARMB and near Kingsbury on May 3 BLK, KAL.

Worcs Up to three at Upton Warren between April 6 GJM and May 27 AJH and one at Bittell on April 19 KC.

Staffs Singles at Blithfield on April 16 GS, Belvide on April 22 DS, Perton on April 1 7 and May 3 DS, and Knypersley on May 4 KJB. Up to five at Chasewater between April 15 ARMB, RAH and May 3 GE.

WMid One at Bartley on May 20 AJH, MSS.

Waxwing Worcs One at Lickey Hills on January 6 KCH. W Mid One at Sandwell Valley from January 29 to February 3 SKW and

at Walsall on February 11 per GE.

Dipper Worcs Bred at Dowles Brook (three pairs). Holt Mill, llley, Wissetts Wood

(two pairs) and possibly Sling Pool. Wintered at Churchill. Staffs Three pairs bred at Coombes Valley. One at Oakamoor on March

11, a pair at Dane Bridge on April 4 and singles at Gradbach on June 3 and, unusually, Sherbrook Pool on June 21 JCE-D.

Wren Still widespread and abundant.

Warks Four or five pairs bred at Alvecote. Abundant at Ladywalk. Worcs Very numerous at Bittell. Staffs Very numerous at Belvide. A large increase in breeding numbers

at Fradley Wood. WMid Breeding population at Edgbaston Park stabilised at 35 pairs.

Dunnock No significant changes in status reported.

Robin Staffs One was imitating a Cettis' Warbler song at Belvide on October 1,

a cautionary note for the unwary!

82

Nightingale Average arrival: April 18 (44) First heard on April 23 at Trench Wood, but generally few records.

Warks Singing birds noted at Bascote, near Long Itchington, Print Wood, Princethorpe, Stockton, Ufton Fields (two) and Ufton Wood (two). One at Draycote on May 9 was unusual.

Worcs Singing birds noted at Croome Estate (usual numbers), Crowle, Goosehill (two) and Trench (five or six). Also bred in a derelict garden at the centre of a new housing estate at Kidderminster.

Black Redstart Warks Bred at Coleshill gas works, where present from February 25 to

October 12 PAM, and two, perhaps three, pairs bred at Hams Hall power stations HTL, where one present on November 18 BLK. One at Draycote on November 1 5 PJB.

Worcs One in a quarry at Malvern on September 21 CPB. Staffs One sang in Burton-on-Trent from May 19 to 21 KJB. An

immature male at Belvide on April 22 GKN, DS and one at Chasetown on May 4 per FCG.

WMid Bred at Nechells gas works, where present until October 11 PAM, • Ocker Hill power station AJW and Wolverhampton per DS. Two sang in the Aston-Saltley area on May 21 ARMB, an immature male sang at Nechells power station on June 19 MJI and at least one bird sang in Birmingham City Centre in June and July MJI, DS.

Redstart Average: April 10 (42) to September 22 (41) First reported on April 22 at Shutt Green, but no further records until May 7. Last noted on October 12 at Coventry. Three records of spring passage and twelve of autumn passage in another poor year.

Warks Only two pairs bred at Packington Park. A pair present near Leamington Spa Reservoir on May 21. A pair with juvenile at Kingsbury W P on August 10.

Worcs Present in summer at Calcott Hill, Cofton Wood, Walton Hill (two pairs) and Wyre Forest • (five pairs). Not seen at Chaddesley Woods, where a pair usually breeds.

Staffs Summer records from Brocton Coppice (four singing). Flash and Coombes Valley (35 pairs). A male at Blithfield in May.

WMid Three sang in Sutton Park in May and June, with one summering and a pair also summered in Woodgate Valley. A bird which hit a window at Bell Green, Coventry, on October 12 subsequently died.

83

Whinchat Average:April 24 (42) to October4 (38) Prompt arrival on April 23 at Upton Warren and Westwood, followed by main arrival in early May. Last noted on September 25 at Willey. Widespread on passage, with records from 18 sites.

Warks Bred atXadywalk (four pairs), Whitacre and perhaps Hartshill S F, Not seen at Bramcote, where bred in three previous years.

Worcs Probably bred at Island Pool and Wilden, and an unmated male sang at Hartlebury Common. A male sang on June 18 at Upton Warren, where 10 present on May 3.

Staffs Bred at Chasewater, Perton (two pairs) and Sherbrook Valley (two pairs) and summered at Blackbrook, Gib Tor (three pairs) and Tittesworth.

W Mid At least two pairs each bred in Sandwell Valley and Sutton Park.

Stonechat Widespread in small numbers until March and from September onwards, especially on rough and derelict land.

Warks Broods fledged at Ladywalk in May and July. Worcs A pair reared two broods at Hartlebury Common, with a second

pair present in May. A juvenile seen at Upton Warren on June 1 5. Up to four noted at Wilden in January-February and three at Bittell on February 28.

Staffs Two pairs present in summer in Sherbrook Valley. One at Tamworth on April 30 and five on Cannock Chase on September 1 8 .

WMid At least four wintered in Sandwell Valley, with singles in a suburban garden at Cradley Heath on January 21 and in Sutton Park on May 8. Wheatear Average: March 21 (41) to October 12 (42) A few early records beginning with one at Ladywalk on February 26 JEF, SMH, followed by a strong passage in early May. Last seen on October 14 at Fradley. Recently-fledged juveniles noted away from traditional breeding areas in late June and July were probably early-returning migrants. Up to five at Ladywalk in spring, nine at Kingsbury W P on May 6 and five at Draycote on August 29. At least 25 at Upton Warren on May 1 AFJ, four at Grimley on May 4 and five at Bittell on May 5. At least 10 at Perton on May 3, some of which were birds of the Greenland race DS. Four males at Gradbach on June 3.

Warks

Worcs

Staffs

84

Ring Ouzel Average:April2 (22) to Octobor 18 (16) Returned on April 2 to Blackbrook Valley and last seen on November 9 at Shutt Green.

Worcs Seven (six males) at Walton Hill on April 20 and a female on September 1 5 BW.

Staffs Six at Blackbrook and two at Swallow Moss on April 1 5. A female at Burntwood on April 29 RAH and a pair in hawthorns at Shutt Green on November 9 per DS.

WMid Single males at Kings Norton on April 24 per RFWH and in an Edgbaston garden on May 4 RCC.

Blackbird More than usual noted in later months at Bittell and Seabridge.

Warks About 20 breeding pairs at Alvecote. Staffs 95 at Seabridge on December 25.

Black-throated Thrush

Staffs A first-winter male trapped at a thrush and finch roost in the north of the county on November 26 DWE, JE, DJa, MJ, WJL. The first record for the Club's area. Essentially a greyish thrush, slightly smaller than Fieldfare, w i th Ring Ouzel-like pale w ing panel; orange-red axillaries and under-wing coverts; and distinctive dark-streaked gorget. Upper parts grey-brown; grey-olive on upper-tail coverts; dark brown tail and remiges, the latter w i th pale panel on the closed secondaries; indistinct pale bar formed by t ips of pale ol ive-brown greater coverts; other coverts grey-brown. Short, thin, pale supercil ium. Whi t ish chin, streaked black; feathers of throat and upper breast black, w i th whi te margins; remainder of underparts of f -whi te wi th suffused grey streaking on flanks. Legs and feet purpl ish-brown; dark brown bill w i th yel low base to lower mandible; eye very dark brown.

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Fieldfare Average: October 8 (42) to April 28 (42) Departure delayed by bad weather and flocks of 20 still present in early May. Last seen at Blithfield on May 7. Also late returning, with the first on October 1 at Leamington, but not well-established until late-October.

Warks 150 moved W at Warwick on January 20 after heavy snow; 4 0 0 roosted at Brandon on January 31; 360 at Bramcote on February 3; 300 at Willey on April 2 and 14; and 200 near Middleton on December 9.

Worcs 500 near Bushley and at Gallows Green on January 22, 200 at Evesham on January 29; 300 at Wilden on February 24, at Bordesley on March 10 and at Hewell Park on April 8. 600 at Bittell on December 17. Scarce at the Lenches in December.

Staffs 300 at Morridge on January 1, 200 at Cheadle on 11, 700 at Hanchurch Pools on 14, 1880 (with 250 Redwings) flew S over Stoke in 45 minutes during a cold spell on 19, 300 at Whittington S F on 20, 400 at Bradley on February 4, 300 at Swallow Moss and 250 at Belvide on April 2. 400 flew NW over Brocton Field on October 28, 350 at Whittington S F on December 25 and 250 flew S over Belvide on 27. No summer records from the moors this year.

WMid An adult noted at Erdington from June 12 to 19 AM, PAM.

Song Thrush

No significant changes in status.

Redwing Average: October 2 (42) to April 14 (43) Widespread until late-April and noted at Draycote Meadows on May 7 and at Edgbaston until May 30 YMW. Four at Westlands on September 28 were the first of the autumn, followed by a stronger influx from the second week of October.

Warks 150 at Alvecote on January 22; several hundred (but no Fieldfare) foraging amongst fallen leaves at Earlswood in hard weather on February \ 1; and 500 at Bramcote on March 8.

Worcs 350 at Gallows Green on January 22; up to 500 roosting in Pegglers Wood in January; 1 50 at Evesham on January 29 and 350 at Bordesley on March 10. At Bittell 200 on February 12, hundreds on December 17 and 126 flying S on 28.

Staffs 300 at Cheadle on January 11 and 150 at Belvide on 1 5. 326 flew W at Maer Hill in hours on October 22. 200 at Belvide on December 12, 184 at Seabridge on 26 and 810 roosting at Trentham Park on 25.

WMid 500 at Brueton Park, Solihull on March 4. An exceptionally late bird at Edgbaston from May 18 to 30 YMW.

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Mistle Thumb Warks 26 at Compton Verney on August 6 and 30 roosting in an oak at

Ladywalk on September 9. Fewer than last year at Willey. Worcs 150 feeding on yew berries at High Green in October JRH. Up to

75 at Bittell in autumn. Staffs 30 at Wychnor on March 5 and 50 at Cannock Chase on

December 12. WMid Common in the Edgbaston area.

Cetti 's Warbler Worcs One sang throughout the summer at a site in the county per GHG. Staffs One was present at a northern locality from January 2 to February

11 CL. The first county record.

Grasshopper Warbler Average: April 19 (42) to August 22 (32) Extreme dates were April 22, at Belvide, and August 1 7, at Bittell.

Warks Five sang at Brandon; three or four at Kingsbury W P; three at Ladywalk; one or two at Alvecote, where probably bred, and Ufton Fields and singles at Draycote and Wilmcote.

Worcs At least ten pairs at Monkwood and up to four at Oakley. Five sang in Goosehill Wood, three at Shortwood Roughs and Trench Wood and singles at Bittell, Broadmoor Wood, Cofton Richards, Nafford, West Hagley and Wilden. One sang for a fortnight at Upton Warren, but did not settle in. Birds were heard at Broome and four new sites in the High Green area singing from rough field headlands against hedgerows in open farmland. Up to three at Bittell during August.

Staffs Very few records. A passage bird at Belvide on April 22, two in song at Blithfield and Shutt Green and singles singing at Perton and nearTamworth.

WMid Two in song at Sutton Park and one at Bartley.

Savi's Warbler Warks One seen and heard at a locality in the north of the county from

May 3 to 21. Observers' names withheld.

Sedge Warbler Average:April 16(42) to September27 (36) First noted on April 1 8 at Brandon, but not generally widespread for another week. Last reported on October 9, again at Brandon.

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Warks A noticeable decline at Brandon, along with other warblers, where only 58 trapped compared to over 200 in each of the previous two years. At least 12 pairs at Alvecote and about 15 at Kingsbury W P, where up to 36 singing birds in early May included many on passage. Small numbers from several other sites.

Worcs Between 20 and 30 pairs at Oakley, about 12 pairs at Wilden and five at Bittell. Eight in song at Upton Warren, one pair at Aston Mill and two at Nafford. No other records.

Staffs The most reported was a pitiful three in song at Belvide and Tillington! Reported as scarce at Longsdon and absent at Tittesworth—both regular sites PGB but said to be increasing at Branston per MSS. A late immature at Belvide on October 7.

WMid Four pairs bred at Minworth and one heard in Edgbaston Park, where unusual. Scarce at Brierley Hill Pools, where just one pair compared to four or five in recent years BMM.

Marsh Warbler Average arrival: June 2 (29)

Worcs First reported on May 29 from the traditional area, where no change in breeding status. A pair also bred at a locality well north of the usual area, in meadowsweet and willowherb SW. Vet another pair were seen feeding young in an orchard next to a pub garden TCS and singing birds were reported from three other sites beyond the usual area, including one at Upton Warren on June 14 AFJ.

Reed Warbler Average:April 26 (38) to September 19 (32) First record on April 30 at Upton Warren and last on October 9 at Brandon.

Warks Again a noticeable decrease at Brandon, where no second broods confirmed in an intensive study area and only 82 trapped compared to around 200 in previous years. Also appeared to be fewer at Kingsbury W P, where only about seven in song, and perhaps fewer at Alvecote too, where six to ten pairs bred. A few pairs bred at Ladywalk.

Worcs At least 60 pairs at Oakley, 50 pairs at Ombersley and 40 pairs at Thorngrove, where many young were lost through being tipped out of their nests by a large starling roost SW. A good year also reported from Bittell, where three pairs bred, but a similar number at Wilden represented a decline. Elsewhere 11 sang at Hewell, seven at Pulley, five at Pirton and smaller numbers at many localities.

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Staffs Five sang at Copmere and four at Belvide, which was the most ever, although only nne pair was proved to breed successfully. Conversely there were no birds at all at the well-established Baggeridge site BMM. At least four pairs were present at Little Aston and a late bird was at Westport on October 6 WJL.

W Mid Two pairs bred at Edgbaston Park, where usually only a passage migrant GFA, but a further decrease to only four pairs at Brierley Hill Pools compared to five in 1977 and nine in 1976 BMM.

Lesser Whitethroat Average:April22 (42) to September 19 (42) Late arriving, with no records until April 28, at Kingsbury W P, but quickly established in early May. Last noted on September 18, also at Kingsbury W P.

Warks Decline at Brandon, where only three trapped compared to 10 last year, but two pairs bred. One or two pairs again bred at Alvecote and up to five sang at Kingsbury W P. Reported from six other localities.

Worcs Three pairs at Bittell and Upton Warren. Smaller numbers reported from thirteen localities, mainly north of the Avon and east of the Severn.

Staffs One again noted at Chasewater, where becoming regular. Increase to four singing birds at Belvide and breeding proved at Copmere, Fradley and Wombourne. Small numbers in song reported from ten other localities.

WMid One, probably two, pairs bred at Brierley Hill Pools. Noted on passage at Bartley in spring and Erdington and Minworth in autumn.

Whitethroat Average:April 14 (44) to September 24 (44) Late arrival, with first on April 22 at Brandon, but only sporadic reports until the second week of May. Few late records, the last from Hanchurch on September 23.

Warks Vet another decline in the numbers trapped at Brandon, reversing the increase of recent years. Strength maintained at Kingsbury W P and Ladywalk, where nine and six in song respectively, and said to be singing well in the Welford-Cleeve Prior area. Still apparently scarce in eastern and central districts.

Worcs Numbers said to be poor in the north-east compared to last year, with maximum of seven singing at Wilden. However still reported as numerous in hedgerows around Upton Warren, but only five pairs at Bittell. Reported from twelve other localities.

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Down to three and two pairs at Belvide and Fradley compared to eight and seven in 1977. Up to four at Blithfield and Chillington and three pairs at Hanchurch. Reported from only five other localities. A bird at Pattingham fed on the flower head of Kniphotia. Three or four pairs bred at Brierley Hill Pools—about average— four sang in the Woodgate Valley and three at both Bartley and Minworth.

Garden Warbler Average: April 22 (41) to September 4 (40) Prompt arrival at Chaddesley on April 23, but no subsequent reports until May 5. Several September records, with the last on 17th at Bittell.

Warks One or two pairs as usual at Alvecote, but only two in song at Kingsbury W P and Ladywalk. Said to be absent from woodland sites in the east of the county and only one pair instead of the usual two at Willey SCN. Fewer too at Earlswood, but noted for the first time in eight years at Shustoke, reflecting the bushier habitat.

Worcs Still only two singing along Dowles Brook, but three pairs at Bittell where good numbers passed through in spring. Five sang at Wilden and smaller numbers at many localities.

Staffs Breeding not proved at Fradley and said to be declining locally. Five in song at Blithfield was the most reported, but only two sang at Belvide and Seabridge compared to four and six respectively in 1977. Four sang at both Copmere and Kinver, with smaller numbers elsewhere.

WMid One in song at Pedmore, a bird present at Bartley in late-spring and one or two in an Erdington garden in autumn.

Blackcap Average:April4 (44) to October5 (41) Birds at Brandon and Dodford on April 2 were probably genuine migrants, although there were no subsequent reports for a fortnight. Birds at Belvide and Packington on October 1 and 15 respectively were perhaps the last summer visitors. No winter records. Only two pairs at Earlswood and two in song at Kingsbury W P compared to four at each in 1977. At Alvecote one or two pairs were believed to have bred—a slight decline on last year. Bred at Ladywalk, nine sang at Brandon and present in good numbers at Birches Wood. One at Hartshill Hayes on November 4. A female in a Droitwich garden on February 11. At Wilden up to 25 were in song and many young were seen and seven sang at Hewell. Good numbers reported at Bittell, but only three singing

Staffs

W Mid

Warks

Worcs

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birds reported from Dowles Brook compared to ten last year. Up to four reported from many localities. Two late-autumn records, a female at Alvechurch on November 25 and a male in the same Droitwich garden on December 12.

Staffs No winter records. No change in breeding status at Fradley, but decline from six to four singing birds at Belvide. Seven sang at Jacksons Coppice, six at Copmere and four or five at Blithfield. Smaller numbers sang at many localities including one from a large garden near the centre of Newcastle. Late-autumn birds at Seabridge on November 11 and 12, Westlands on December 18 (both females or immatures), with a male at Biddulph Moor from December 28 to 30.

WMid Unlike the shire counties, many winter records. Birds in gardens at Solihull on January 4, Tettenhall on January 15, Moseley on January 23 and 24 were followed by many more in February and early March at Bournville, Edgbaston, Erdington, Hall Green, Sutton Coldfield, Tettenhall and Walsall. One sang at Pedmore from May to July, another appeared at Bartley in May and autumn passage birds turned up in Erdington and Tettenhall gardens. The only late-autumn record was one at Bartley on October 22.

W o o d Warbler Average: April 21 (42) to August 17 (33) Late arrival, with none until May 3 at Bittell and Wyre Forest. Last noted on August 28 at Baggeridge.

Warks Only two at Earlswood in the usual localities, but one at a new site. The only other reports concerned singles at Burnthurst Wood, Old Arley, Rough Hill Wood and Wappenbury Wood.

Worcs Up to 20 in song in the Wyre Forest, mostly along Dowles Brook or in Far Forest. At least five sang at Lickey, and bred at Pipers Hill and Walton Hill. Also heard in song at Chaddesley (two), Cofton Wood (three), Eymore Wood (five), Habberley Valley, Hillditch Coppice, Sling Pool, Spring Grove, Trimpley Common, Waseley Hill and Wilden. Passage birds noted at Bittell on May 3 and Rubery on the late date of September 6.

Staffs Eight pairs at Coombes Valley was an improvement over 1977, whilst four pairs in the Baggeridge/Himley area represented only partial coverage of the sites visited last year. Singing birds were reported from Blackbrook Valley, Blithfield (three), Brocton Coppice, Chillington, Hanchurch, Hollinhay Wood, Kinver (nine). Rough Knipe and Whittington. One at Seabridge on May 6.

WMid Reported breeding at Halesowen Wood MSS. One sang during May and June in Sutton Park, one was in Edgbaston Park on June 18 and passage birds were noted at Bartley in April and Meriden in July.

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Chiffchaff Average: March 16 (44) to October 14 (44) Prompt arrival with one on March 9 at Longdon and many scattered reports during the next week. Reported fairly regularly until October 1 5, when one at Hall Green.

Warks One at Alvecote on January 7. Said to be more in evidence than last year in northern and eastern districts. Two or three pairs bred at Alvecote and four pairs were in Sitch Wood. Four sang at Hartshill, three at Kingsbury W P and Ladywalk and seven at Old Arley with smaller numbers from several localities. One trapped at Wolston on October 14 and another seen at Kingsbury W P during November.

Worcs Winter records from Bewdley on January 17 and again on February 25 and Wilden on many dates from January 20 into spring, with two on February 5 one of which was singing. Up to six reported singing at Bittell, four at Hanbury Park, seven at Trench Wood, four at Woodnorton and eight in the Wyre Forest. Smaller numbers reported from many sites and said to be numerous at Chaddesley. One at Upton Warren on December 1 7.

Staffs Three were seen at Chasewater on January 2, with two remaining until January 14 and one to February 4. Fewer bred at Fradley and only two sang at Belvide—one as late as September 16. Elsewhere singing birds were heard at Chillington (six), Copmere (four) and Keele (eleven), with smaller numbers at many localities. A wintering bird at Seabridge on Christmas Day.

WMid Two in song at Pedmore during the breeding season. Spring records from Sutton Park on May 1 and Edgbaston Reservoir on May 10, with autumn sightings from an Erdington garden, Minworth, Edgbaston Reservoir and Sandwell Valley.

Wi l low Warbler Average: March 27 (44) to October4 (44) First noted at Belvide and Bittell on April 1, but not widespread until mid-month. Late birds at Westwood and Lillington on October 8 and 26 respectively.

Warks A marked decline at Brandon, where only 32 trapped compared to around 100 in most years, but no change noticeable at Willey, where common. Only four breeding pairs at Alvecote compared to six in 1977 and maxima at Earlswood was 16 and Kingsbury W P 20.

Worcs Good numbers reported from Bittell [cf. Chiffchaff] with at least 25 on April 22. In the Wyre Forest 34 were counted in song, in Trench Wood 11 and at Sling Pool six.

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Staffs No change in breeding numbers at Fradley Wood. Maxima in song were 21 at Copmcre, 20 at Hanchurch Pools, 18 at Trentham Park, 1 7 at Belvide and 11 at Blithfield. Smaller numbers were reported from many localities. An influx was noted at Blithfield on April 23.

WMid Eight pairs at Brierley Hill Pools compared to 11 last year. Up to 20 at Minworth S F on spring passage, when up to four in song at Edgbaston Reservoir with one last heard June 7. In autumn up to three in an Erdington garden and others at Edgbaston and Sutton Coldfield.

Goldcrest No reports of change in status, but little information received. Little information, but said to be well in evidence at Bittell during the breeding season and numbers well up to normal in the autumn. On February 22 one was picked up, unable to fly, in Droitwich shopping precinct, but recovered soon afterwards. Slight, but probably insignificant decrease at Fradley Wood. Autumn numbers well above normal at Belvide, with about 20 on October 11. One singing on May 3 was unusual. One or two reported from Sutton Park in February and March and from gardens at Erdington in February and September and Shirley in November.

Firecrest Warks A first-year male at Brandon on January 5 BMCG.

Spotted Flycatcher Average: May 1 (42) to September 25 (42) First noted on April 28 at Burton and well distributed by early May. Last records on September 24 from Haughton and Willey. A very poor year in general, with small numbers reported from widely scattered areas.

Warks Reduced numbers reported from Packington and low breeding success from three pairs at Willey.

Worcs Nine young fledged from two nest boxes at Far Forest and four young were raised by a pair at Hindlip Hall.

Staffs Six pairs at Knypersley, three or four pairs at Belvide and good numbers reported from Keele MDC. Maxima of 23 at Blithfield on July 20, including many young; 20 at Belvide on August 14 and 12 at Seabridge, where good breeding season, on September 6.

WMid Bred at Hall Green and attempted to do so at Longbridge, but no other reports apart from single birds in autumn.

Warks Worcs

Staffs

WMid

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Pied Flycatcher Average arrival: April 22 (32) A good spring passage began with two at Brandon on April 26. Last noted on September 11 at Walsall.

Warks A pair at Brandon Wood on April 26 followed by singles, all males, at Dunchurch on April 30; Packington on May 1; Wilmcote on May 3 and Radford Semele on May 21. More than usual.

Worcs Females on passage at Bittell on April 27 and 28 and Lickey also on April 28. In the Wyre Forest 10 young flew from three nest boxes at Knowles Mill and seven young from one box at Far Forest. Two nest boxes at Dowles Brook were predated LRB.

Staffs Males in spring at Barlaston, Belvide (May 6) and Trentham, with a female at Seabridge on May 8. Six pairs bred at Coombes Valley and one pair again raised seven young at a site in the west of the county, but a pair at Rough Knipe was robbed. A male in Himley Wood on the unusual date of July 7 MJH.

WMid A male in a Sedgley garden on May 2 was followed by autumn records from an Erdington garden on September 7 and a Walsall garden on September 10 and 11—the latter a female.

Bearded Tit A poor year.

Warks Six or seven remained at Brandon from 1977 until March 5 BRG—one bird having been ringed at Goole, Yorkshire the previous October—and a pair was still present on April 8. Another pair at Ladywalk on November 11 JEF, with a female again present on December 10 HTL and a pair also at Brandon from November 12 into 1979 BMCG.

Worcs One at Westwood Park from February 12 to 14 CPB.

Long-tailed Tit Some conflicting reports on status.

Warks No discernable change in status at Willey, but autumn feeding parties at Ladywalk more numerous. Conversely a decline at Brandon, where only 18 trapped compared to around 40 in previous years.

Worcs Said to be well up to normal at Bittell, with parties up to 35 in winter and autumn. Likewise up to 40 noted at Wilden, where a nest contained pieces of crisp-packets and silver foil as well as feathers and horse hair BW.

Staffs Good numbers in winter flocks around Lichfield and an increase in breeding pairs at Fradley MJA. Several winter and autumn flocks of 20 or more.

WMid Reported from Bartley, Edgbaston Park and Longbridge in small numbers.

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Marsh Tit No change in status. Reported from twenty localities.

Worcs Three occupied nest boxes in Wyre Forest and Menith Wood LRB. Staffs Slight increase at Fradley Wood MJA. WMid Bred at Edgbaston Park for the first time in many years GFA, but

may now be absent from Sutton Park JEF.

Wil low Tit No change in status. Reported from 27 localities compared to 20 for March Tit, whioh rovorto to the 1976 situation.

Coal Tit No reports of any change in status. Continues to frequent gardens.

Worcs Described as abundant in the Wyre Forest. Staffs Increased slightly at Fradley Wood and noted more frequently at

Belvide and Westlands in autumn. At Little Haywood a pair nested in a hole in a wall next to a frequently-used bus stop RSD.

Blue Tit Warks Substantial increase reported at Willey SCN. Worcs Reported as still increasing at Bittell, whilst in the Wyre Forest

144 nestlings flew from 23 occupied nest boxes despite a noticeably greater incidence of abandoned nests.

Staffs Nine pairs occupied nest boxes at Belvide compared with three Great Tits.

Great Tit No change in status reported.

Worcs In the Wyre Forest, where abandoned nests were again noticeable, 96 nestlings fledged from 17 nest boxes.

Nuthatch No reports of changed status. Most reports again from old woodlands and landscaped parklands.

Warks Recorded at Alvecote for the first time. Of six occupied nest boxes at Compton Verney only one pair successfully reared young.

Worcs Only one pair successfully bred from six Wyre Forest nest boxes, but good numbers were noted along Dowles Brook, with at least 10 on April 2.

Staffs At Belvide reported only about 10 times prior to 1978, but noted on some 20 occasions this year.

Treecreeper No noticeable change in status, though said to be more numerous at Bittell.

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Golden Oriole Warks A male seen briefly between Southam and Marston Doles on May

31 RB.

Great Grey Shrike Warks Singles at Dunchurch on January 30 PJB; Snitterfield on March 4

GWS and Alvecote on October 1 5 and 22 GAA, DEJ, CJH. Worcs One near Shakenhurst on April 2 RM. Staffs Singles noted near Sandon on January 1 NJ; at Brocton from

February 11 until March 11 and again from October 28 to November 26 DS, SW et at; near Yoxall on March 26 BDD; on Cannock Chase on April 1 ARMB; at Belvide on April 2 BJNH; near Stone on April 4 and 5 CRS; Chasewater on October 8 ARMB and Swallow Moss on October 1 5 PAM, AM.

WMid One at Rough Wood, Short Heath on December 31 JJH.

Jay No evident change in status. Mostly recorded in autumn and winter.

Magpie No change in status. Several reports of parties up to 20, even from suburban localities.

Jackdaw Warks Flocks joining evening Rook flights at Ladywalk in autumn barely

numbered 50. Worcs About 2000 noted going to roost in Hanbury Park on November

1 6 .

Staffs Most noted was 110 at Seabridge on September 8.

Rook Some fluctuations in numbers, but no significant change in status.

Warks Up to five pairs nested on electricity pylons at Whateley, perhaps a reflection on the loss of elms. Around Stratford there were 582 nests in one 1 0 x 1 0 km square, which was a slight decrease from last year's maximum of 639 but still above the average of 562 for the past five years RA.

Worcs About 1500 in Hanbury Park at dusk on November 16. Staffs Maxima of 400 flying SE over Hockley on November 22 and near

Kings Bromley on December 29. WMid One at Bartley on November 5 was observer's first record in

twelve years MSS.

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Carrion Crow No definite change in status, but said to be increasing in some areas.

Worcs Up to 170 noted around the shoreline at Bittell during the autumn, when water level was low.

Staffs Over 1 50 by-Moors Gorse on April 1 6. WMid Up to 1 70 at Aldridge in late February and early March.

Hooded Crow Nn records.

Raven Increasing.

Worcs Singles over Shakenhurst Park on February 26 RM; at Malvern on June 14 KCH, INR and Wissetts Wood on July 9 RM.

Staffs One reported from Seabridge on May 19 NCM and another from the south-west of the county on November 22 MSS.

W Mid One flying S over Sedgley Beacon on June 30 JW.

Starling Still widespread and numerous, with many reports of winter roosts up to 10000.

Warks At the Lea Marston roost 50000 were disturbed by gunfire on October 18, whilst in December "millions" roosted at Arbury.

Worcs Up to 20000 roosted at Conderton during September and October, but not later.

WMid Large roost again formed at Willenhall.

House Sparrow No change in status.

Tree Sparrow Warks Maxima were up to 1 50 at Kingsbury W P and 100 at Alvecote in

winter, with 50 at Draycote during the autumn. Worcs Winter maxima were 250 at Blakedown on January 12; 200 at

Holt G P; 1 50 at Longdon Marsh and 100 at Frankley. In autumn up to 100 at Wilden. At Stourport a bird was noted collecting beagle hair for nest material.

Staffs Numbers smaller than other counties with 100 at Pool Hall in January and Whiston in February the only winter flocks. At Belvide one pair bred in a nest box and up to 100 occurred in August and September.

WMid At Bartley up to 50 in winter and 60 in autumn. Up to 30 reported feeding in an Erdington garden during February and March.

97

Warks

Worcs

Staffs

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Warks

Worcs

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\

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Chaffinch Smaller flocks this year, with 80 roosting at Packington Park in January and up to 60 at Willey in March and December the most reported. Several large flocks> with up to 500 at Lickey during winter and again in autumn; 300 at Blakedown, 250 at Wilden and 200 roosting at Thorngrove all in January; 350 at Longdon in March and 250 at Sheriffs Lench in December. Winter flocks included 200 at Blithfield and 100 at Whitmore Heath, both in March. During December at least 800 roosted at Maer Hills, 200 were at Salt and 120 at Kings Bromley. At Bartley 110 on October 29.

Brambling Average: October 13 (43) to April 9 (42) A late bird remained at Bittell until May 9. Returned late, with none until October 29 at Chasewater. Two at Shottery on January 14 and four or five at Ladywalk in early March, with a few between Meriden and Nuneaton later in the uiunth. Three flew over Kingsbury W P on November 5 and one was at Hartshill on November 1 2. No other records in another poor year. Up to four noted at Wilden in January; six at Beckford, three at Waseley Hills and singles at Stourport and Warndon in February; three at Bittell and Kyre in March, when one at Weatheroak Hill; and a pair at Sling Pool on April 7. In autumn a few at Bittell, Kyre and Stour Hill in November, when 20 at Wilden. During November and December up to 30 roosted in Chaddesley Wood and a flock at Island Pool built up to 200 at the year's end. In winter up to 1 5 at Chillington in January and 13 at Blithfield in March, when roosts of 96 were reported from Maer Hills and 50 from Beaudesert. Smaller numbers were also reported from Pool Hall, Westlands and Whitmore Heath and six at Seven Springs in late April included at least two singing males. Autumn records began with one at Chasewater on October 29, to be followed by five at Kinver in November; six at Blithfield and three at Branston in the first half of December and a flock of 60 at Seabridge at the end of the month. Three at Bartley on January 8 and one, a male, regularly in a Tettenhall garden during late February and March. One or two were in Edgbaston Park at the same time, with 12 on April 19, and three were at Aldridge on April 29. In autumn up to 10 were at Bartley and another or the same bird visited the same Tettenhall garden during late November and December.

98

Serin

Worcs At least two, possibly three, near Evesham on June 17 and 18 AWBN. In silhouette clearly small f inches, noticeably smaller than Linnet. Description of male as fol lows. Bill short and stubby, greyish horn colour, smaller and blunter than Linnet's. Nape and mantle streaked dark brown. Throat, breast and forehead yellow. Crown yellow, heavily streaked brown. Rump yellow. Yellowish-white supercilium. Brown streaks on side of of f -white belly, extending up onto sides of breast. Faint yel low wing-bars. In f l ight rump patch, which was about extent of Bullfinch's, extremely obvious. Tail brown, notched as Linnet's. Legs not seen. Flight direct w i th shallow undulations more pronounced than Linnet's. Song a soft j ingle in 1 5 second bursts, w i th occasional trills. Call notes "t l i - t l i -chhirr" resembling Blue Tit's, but less scolding and also "tsooee-tsooee." The first record for the county and Club's area.

Greenfinch No evident changes in status.

Warks In January and February up to 250 roosted at Packington Park. Autumn flocks included 1 50 at Lea Marston on August 20, up to 250 at Kingsbury W P in September and October and a remarkable 700 at Arbury in late December feeding on mustard sown for pheasants.

Worcs Flocks generally smaller, but 150 at Strensham on January 1 and 200 at Broome in July. Up to 80 reported from Beckford, Bittell, Sheriffs Lench and Thorngrove.

Staffs About 500 at Clewley on January 2 and 40 at Blithfield on March 18 were the only flocks reported.

W Mid Still present in suburban gardens in winter, though less numerous than three or four years ago NDG.

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Goldfinch No reported change in status.

Warks Fewer large flocks this year, with 50 at Kingsbury W P on August 28 and at Willey on October 29 the most reported.

Worcs Flocks of 50 at Aston Mill on February 10, Holt Heath on April 20 and in a Wickhamford orchard on May 1. During autumn up to 100 at Wilden on August 20 and at Bittell in December.

Staffs Again smaller flocks than in other counties, with 30 at Seven Springs on April 11, 25 at Belvide on September 9 and 50 at Chasewater on October 1 5 the most reported.

WMid Becoming increasingly common on urban waste ground, with at least 200 in such a situation at Foleshill Gas Works, Coventry on July 16.

Siskin Average: October 14 (40) to April 6 (41) Noted at Brandon on April 9 and subsequent records in May and June most probably refer to breeding or prospective breeding birds. September records from Bittell and Wilden on 3 and 1 5 respectively were the first of the autumn.

Warks Very small numbers, with 1 5 at Radford Semele on January 9 and 16 at Alvecote on February 1 the most noted. Up to ten reported from several localities. Only two autumn records, of 10 at Leamington Spa on November 26 and three at Draycote on December 3—the first for the locality.

Worcs A male seen in suitable breeding habitat in the Wyre Forest on June 25 EGP, where at least 40 on April 2 and one in song on March 26. A small party also present on Bredon Hill on May 1 JA. Present at Bittell until March 17, with a maximum of 100 on February 9. Reportedly returned on the early date of September 3 AJW and reached a peak of 50 in December. Elsewhere up to 20 reported from several localities.

Staffs Again small numbers, with 12 at Blithfield on February 5 the most reported in winter. One at Wandon on the unusual date of May 28 RAH. More numerous in autumn, with 59 at Belvide on December 3 and 120 at Longsdon on December 17, but not so widely distributed as in winter.

WMid In winter up to 12 noted at Bournville, Longbridge, Northfield, Shirley, Solihull, Sutton Park, Wall Heath and Yardley Wood. Mo autumn records.

Linnet Warks The only notable winter flock was 110 at Ladywalk. During

September there were up to 75 at Alvecote, 150 at Kingsbury W P and Snitterfield and 250 feeding on Fat Hen in a kale field at Willey.

100

Worcs At Uckingham, 75 on January 1. Autumn flocks of at least 200 at Holt in September, 150 at Wilden on October 10 and 100 at Bittell on November 12.

Staffs Slight increase in breeding population at Fradley. No winter flocks, but autumn concentrations of 100 at Blithfield, 150 at Chasewater and 200 at Perton in October, with 100 at Kings Bromley on December 27.

WMid Winter maximum of 80 at Minworth on February 16 and autumn maxima of 200 at Bartley on August 6 and 150 in Sutton Park on October 22, No other substantial flocks reported.

Twi te Warks Two at Kingsbury W P on May 1 ARD, MJi, RFWH et ai. One or

two at Draycote from October 28 to year's end PJB, CHP, KRF. Staffs Approximately 40 pairs on North Staffs Moors MJW. Six on

November 4 was the only report from the once-favoured Chasewater site GJM and it would appear that this flock has now vanished with habitat changes. A male was present at Blithfield on October 28 SKW.

Redpoll Warks Less numerous this year at Ladywalk and a decline in breeding

numbers at Brandon. Smaller flocks too, with the largest being 40 at Packington Park on November 11.

Worcs Flocks generally smaller than last year, except for 1 50 at Wilden on January 12, up to 300 in the Wyre Forest in early April and 100 at Trench Wood on December 10.

Staffs Good numbers reported from northern districts KJB, but the only sizeable flocks were 100 at Chasewater on January 14 and 120 at Brocton on October 28.

WMid Flocks of 40 at Brierley Hill and Minworth during January and February and 60 on waste ground at Stourbridge town centre also in February were the most reported.

Mealy Redpoll Warks One at Draycote on February 5 PJF. Worcs Singles at Wilden on January 8 and February 26 feeding on

mugwort BW. %

Crossbill Warks Singles at Arbury on March 9 and December 10 EHT, WGL. Worcs Several reports of one or two in the Wyre Forest between April 2

and June 25, with a maximum of seven on April 9 MJH.

Bullfinch No change in status, with loose parties up to 20 not unusual.

101

Hawfinch Worcs A pair at Wissets Wood on February 26 RM and up to six in the

Wyre Forest in late March or early April EGP, JEF, RAH, BMM. Staffs One at Chillington on March 28 with four on April 2 ARD, PDH.

Six at Belvide on April 23 KV, followed by singles on October 11 JW, November 28 JVT and December 17 BC.

Lapland Bunting

Following an influx to the east coast in autumn 1977 a few birds found their way into the Midlands.

Warks Three at Kingsbury W P from January 8 to February 19, wi th four from January 14 to February 18 and two remaining until February 26 JEF, SMH et at. Two of these birds were males and another male, perhaps one of the Kingsbury birds, was reported at nearby Ladywalk on January 25 HTL. Both males showed rufous nape patches and one black coming onto crown. Other birds were drabber, though one showed indistinct rufous nape. All four had pale crowns, dark borders to ear patches, broken barring on breast and flanks, pale underparts and rufous median coverts. Greyer, plumper and shorter tailed than Reed Bunting, w i th stronger, more direct fl ight, which was not jerky. Noticeably larger, greyer and longer-winged w i th shorter tail deeply cleft. Unmistakeable "t icky-t icky-teeu" call.

Snow Bunting Warks A female or immature at Draycote on March 12 TWL, OLL was

the only record.

Yellowhammer Warks Hard weather in late January caused a flock of 75 to 100 to

gather at a cattle feeding station at Willey, whilst at Kingsbury W P up to 250 were present in mid-February with 60 still present on April 30.

102

Worcs Very good numbers reported from Bittell. Largest flocks were 100 at Strensham on January 1 and Blakedown on January 12, with 50 at Frankley on February 8 and Bredon Hill on February 14. Only autumn concentration was 40 at Wilden on December 1.

Staffs Fewer flocks than last year, with 100 at Chillington on January 8 and 45 at Blithfield on March 18 the most reported. Autumn maximum was 25 at Enville on November 26. A toad was reported sitting on four eggs in a forsaken nest BR.

W Mid Flocks of 70 in the Woodgate Valley on January 1 and 22 feeding on stubble at Longbridge on January 18.

Cirl Bunting Worcs No reports received this year. Absent from its recent breeding

locality during two visits in May.

Reed Bunting Warks A roost of 300 at Brandon on January 2 and up to 150 at

Kingsbury W P during January and February, including a leucistic male. Another flock of 60 at Maxstoke on February 1 and an increase in the autumn roost at Brandon, with 84 trapped on November 5.

Worcs Heard in song from many places away from water and three pairs known to have bred in gorse. At least 20 pairs bred at Wilden, whilst a winter roost in phragmites at Thorngrove contained at least 400 birds.

Staffs Very few records from which to assess status. At Belvide less than ten in winter months, but a build-up in spring peaked at 50 on April 22. Reported as breeding commonly at Branston.

WMid The only flock reported was 30 at Minworth on February 28. Again repored in winter from suburban gardens at Erdington and Longbridge.

Corn Bunting Warks Not so numerous this year at Newbold Comyn, but still well-

established in central districts with 10 singing males in two-and-a-half miles between Birdingbury and Offchurch. Several breeding pairs at Bramcote and some indication of a spread to a new locality at Burton Hastings. Winter roosts at Kingsbury W P and Ladywalk peaked at 120 and 80 respectively, whilst maxima at autumn roosts were 40 at Eathorpe in October, 80 at Wolston in November-December and 1 50 at Brandon in December.

Worcs Breeding season records from twenty-two localities, all east of the Severn Valley. Roosts at Upton Warren, with a peak of 40 in March and 25 in late December, and flocks of 60 near Sinton Green on May 13 and 30 at Wilden on October 22, the latter feeding on Chenopodium sp.

103

Staffs Breeding season reports from Clifton Campville (four or five singing), Marston, Pattingham, Perton, Seisdon, Swindon (four singing), Tamworth, Trysull and Whittington (near Lichfield), where eight or nine in song. All these sites are south of the Trent Valley. No roosts reported, but two flew west at Chasewater at dusk on March 11 and nine did likewise on December 28.

W Mid A pair at Bartley in May and one in song at Minworth, with 12 in Sutton Park on May 8.

Exotica

Greater Flamingo Worcs One roosted at Wilden on September 22, perhaps an escape from

the West Midland Safari Park.

Black-necked Swan W Mid One on canal at Bilston on July 14.

Chinese Goose Worcs One at Witley Park on August 2 8.

Chiloe Wigeon Staffs Three at Blithfield from April 23 into 1979.

Wood Duck Warks A male at Kingsbury W P on February 11. Staffs A male at Brocton on February 17. . W Mid One in Sutton Park on May 1. '

Parakeet spp Worcs One at Westwood Park on April 23. Staffs A Ring-necked at Belvide on November 26. WMid Two near Birmingham City Centre on January 27.

Red-billed Pekin Robin Warks A male found dead near Oakley Wood in August.

Pin-tailed Whydah Warks One found dead in a Bubbenhall farmyard.

104

Addenda 1975 Turnstone: 20 at Leacroft on August 31 NH. 1977 Little Tern: 1 at Swan Pool on August 17 GH.

Waxwing: 2 at Westlands on October 18 GH. Ring Ouzel: A male in Sutton Park on April 18 and a female on September 18 JEF.

1975 Errata p53 Bar-tailed Godwit: 22 at Blithfield on September 5 not August 5. p57 Little Stint: last seen at Blithfield on November 1.

1977 Errata cover This mistakenly carried the Club's old emblem. Apologies are also

due to Dennis Green for omitting to credit him with the cover photograph.

pp Species sequence incorrect. Ring-necked, Ferruginous and Tufted 39-42 Duck should follow Pochard not Garganey.

p65 Glaucous Gull: seen at Bittell on December 10 not 23.

Ringing in 1 9 7 8 1978 proved to be a very interesting year both in terms of species ringed and recoveries received. The year started mild and it wasn't until February that there was a very cold spell. Finches caught at roosts during this period maintained good weights but Redwings and Blackbirds tended to be lighter than normal. The study of wintering gulls, in its second season in 1977/78, caught Common Gulls at two different sites on 18.02.78—The first time this species had been caught at rubbish tips during the project, presumably forced to feed on tips because of the extreme cold. Following a return to mild conditions in March, roosts tended to disperse and hence ringing at these sites ended. 1978 was however an exceptional year for Siskin and at least 40 were caught in the West Midlands. As will be seen in the recoveries section of this report some interesting movements have resulted.

105

Spring could have been considered to have started on April 2nd when a Yellow Wagtail was caught. An early Chiffchaff at Hewell Grange on 01.04.78 had been ringed in 1977 on April 2nd. Are the same birds always early arrivals? After this early indication of spring the weather deteriorated and those ringers who have nest boxes reported a late season. Utilisation of the boxes was variable with some schemes having a good breeding year and others poor. Most people don't appreciate a wet summer but those ringers who like handling Swifts had an excellent summer! Certainly in June and early July more Swifts than normal were ringed. The rounding up of moulting Canada Geese was done in early July. It seems that the numbers caught were down on previous years but for a possible explanation see the recoveries given below. The study of moulting Lapwings continued into the autumn with about 250 being caught. A paper based on data collected in previous years appeared in Bird Study (December 1978). As winter approached roosts formed earlier than in 1977. An abnormal capture at one North Staffordshire roost was a Black-throated Thrush. Due to particularly cold weather in December, catches of gulls on tips were made in that month. Details of over 300 recoveries have been received during the year and no less than 200 of these showed movements of more than 100 kilometres. Quite apart from this unprecedented number of 'distant' recoveries some interesting data has been added to the WMBC files. Moorhen last appeared in the ringing section of the WMBC Annual report in 1954 with details of a bird ringed in Holland in 1928 and recovered on the River Teme (Worcs) in 1929! Both the Green Sandpiper and Grasshopper Warbler are the first WMBC area recoveries ever. Four recoveries from Portugal in a year must be unusual and a Redwing in Greece is far from normal. The Siskin recoveries have already been mentioned but three Chaffinches from the Netherlands doubles the number from that country reported in the club's area. Even the Tree Sparrow is only the fourth to be printed in the Annual Report and shows the second longest movement!

P J Ireland

All foreign recoveries except three Wigeon east of Moscow.

Key:— GS Green Sandpiper SM Sand Martin • Black-headed Gull K Kestrel SN Snipe B Blackbird L Lapwing ST Song Thrush BC Blackcap M Moorhen SW Sedge Warbler BR Brambling R Redwing SWA Swallow C Chaffinch RW Reed Warbler W Wigeon D Dunlin S Starling . YW Yellow Wagtail F Fieldfare SK Siskin

O CD

107

Selected List of Recoveries Involving the W M B C Area Entries are arranged by species and, within species, by recovery date except that birds ringed in the WMBC area are listed before birds ringed elsewhere and recovered in the WMBC area. Ringing details are given on the first line and recovery details on the second. This report includes recoveries received for 1978 and previously unpublished recoveries for earlier years. All foreign recoveries and movements of greater than 100 kilometres are included. Treatment of movements of less than 100 kilometres depends on the species involved. In accordance with ringing convention, all distances are given in kilometres and old county names have been used. Localities now within the West Midlands county have been marked with an asterisk.

Key Age: Pull Pu/lus (nestling) Juv Juvenile (young able to fly) 1Y Bird in its first year PJ Post Juvenile Ad Adult (at least one year old) FG Full Grown (age uncertain)

Sex: M Male F Female Manner of Recovery: v Caught and released with ring + Shot or killed x Found dead or dying

Species Ringer Ring No. •Age/Sex Date Place Moven

Heron 1 0 9 0 5 8 5 Pull 2 6 . 0 4 . 7 7 Grimley (Worcs) CMH

X 0 5 . 0 2 . 7 8 Stockport (Ches) 1 2 8 k m N 1 0 9 2 9 0 2 Pull 1 8 . 0 6 . 7 7 Gailey (Staffs) CDTM

X 0 2 . 0 4 . 7 8 High Breall (Salop) 3 2 k m W N W 1 0 9 4 3 1 1 Pull 0 8 . 0 6 . 7 8 Grimley (Worcs) CMH

X 1 4 . 1 2 . 7 8 Near Higham (Derby) 1 1 0 k m NE

M u t e Swan Z 3 5 1 8 6 Pull 2 8 . 0 7 . 7 4 Clifton Campville (Staffs) AEC

1 7 . 0 5 . 7 8 Rostherne Mere (Ches) 9 0 k m N N W Z 3 8 1 1 9 FG 1 9 . 0 3 . 7 7 Stratford-on-Avon (Warks) ARG

V 2 9 . 0 5 . 7 7 Alvecote (Warks) 4 7 k m N X 2 1 . 0 5 . 7 8 Holme Pierrepoint, Nottingham 5 0 k m NE

Z 4 0 5 1 0 Ad 0 5 . 0 2 . 7 8 Tamworth (Staffs) AEC 1 7 . 0 8 . 7 8 Fairburn Ings (Yorks) 1 2 5 k m N

Z 4 0 5 1 3 Ad 1 9 . 0 2 . 7 8 Tamworth (Staffs) AEC 1 7 . 0 8 . 7 8 Fairburn Ings (Yorks) 1 2 5 k m N

108

Canada Goose No fewer than 45 Canada Geese ringed in the club's area were recaught on July 2nd, 1978 whilst moulting on the Beauly Firth, Inverness. It appears that the habit of migrating to the Beauly Firth to moult, previously largely confined to the Yorkshire Canada Goose population, has spread south in a big way. The recoveries given in full show a bird presumably dying en-route to the Beauly Firth, a bird moving to Yorkshire to moult and two interesting return movements.

5 0 8 6 0 1 1 Pull 0 8 . 0 7 . 7 7 Packington (Warks) CDTM X 0 8 . 0 6 . 7 8 Dunbar (East Lothian) 3 8 0 k m N

5 0 8 2 0 6 9 Pull 2 6 . 0 6 . 7 7 Branston (Staffs) CDTM V 0 7 . 0 7 . 7 8 Harewood Park (Yorks W R ) 1 3 0 k m N

5 0 8 2 2 5 5 Pull 2 6 . 0 7 . 7 7 Kings Bromley (Staffs) CDTM V 0 2 . 0 7 . 7 8 Beauly Firth 5 5 0 k m N N W V 2 8 . 0 8 . 7 8 Masham (Yorks NR) 4 0 0 k m SSE

5 0 8 6 0 8 6 Pull 10 .07 .77 Bodymoor (Warks) CDTM V 0 2 . 0 7 . 7 8 Beauly Firth 5 7 0 k m N N W V 0 2 . 0 9 . 7 8 Masham (Yorks NR) 4 0 0 k m SSE

Wigeon Wigeon ringed at Blithfield (Staffs) were recovered as follows CDTM

Ringed SS 8 3 7 1 5 2 8 . 1 2 . 6 9 SS 9 3 6 2 0 1 4 . 0 1 . 7 3 SS 9 3 6 5 3 3 1 . 1 2 . 7 2 SS 9 5 4 5 0 3 1 . 1 2 . 7 2 SS 9 5 4 4 5 3 1 . 1 2 . 7 2 FS 7 6 3 2 7 1 6 . 0 2 . 7 5 FS 7 6 3 2 2 1 9 . 0 1 . 7 5

-Recovered-2 8 . 0 5 . 7 7 Near Inta, Komi ASSR 1 9 . 0 2 . 7 8 Boston (Lines) 2 6 . 0 5 . 7 8 Near Pinega (Arkhangelsk) USSR 2 7 . 0 5 . 7 8 Near Ust'-Tsilma, Komi ASSR 1 0 . 0 9 . 7 8 Melholt (Jutland) Denmark 2 4 . 0 9 . 7 8 Near Nykoing (Falster) Denmark 2 3 . 1 2 . 7 8 Kettering (Northants)

6 6 ° 0 0 ' N 6 0 ° 0 8 ' E 125km E

I 4 3 ° 2 0 ' E I 5 2 ° 0 9 ' E

1 0 ° 2 0 ' E 1 1 6 5 3 ' E

8 8 k m SE

6 4 ° 4 3 ' N ' 6 5 ° 2 6 ' N ! 5 7 ° 0 6 ' N 5 4 ° 4 6 ' N

Mallard GK 0 9 7 5 7 FG

x 2 8 . 0 7 . 7 3 Stratford-on-Avon (Warks) ARG ( 0 3 . 0 4 . 7 8 ) Bradford-on-Avon (Wilts) 1 0 0 k m S S W

Sparrowhawk EH 2 4 5 0 7 Pull 2 6 . 0 6 . 7 8 Stratford-on Avon (Warks) ARG

2 9 . 1 0 . 7 8 Martin Hussingtree (Worcs) 3 2 k m W

Kestrel ED 1 8 9 8 8 Pull

x EH 1 2 8 4 8 Pull

x EF 8 1 6 5 9 Pull

x

1 6 . 0 6 . 7 4 Upton-on-Severn (Worcs) 0 5 . 0 4 . 7 8 Barton-under-Needwood (Staffs) 0 5 . 0 7 . 7 7 Sherbourne (Warks) 2 0 . 0 4 . 7 8 Truro (Cornwall) 2 0 . 0 6 . 7 4 Barford (Warks) 1 1 . 0 7 . 7 8 Allencon (Orne) France

GHG 8 0 k m NNE ARG 3 2 0 k m S W ARG

4 8 ° 3 1 ' N 0 0 ° 1 1'E

109

EB 9 3 1 5 3 Pull 0 6 . 0 6 . 7 8 Witton, Birmingham GP X 2 4 . 0 7 . 7 8 Kettering (Northerns) 8 5 k m ESE

EH 4 2 8 0 6 Pull 1 7 . 0 6 . 7 8 Little Aston (Staffs) GP X 0 1 . 0 8 . 7 8 Kildale (YorksNR) 2 2 0 k m NNE

EB 9 3 1 5 5 Pull 0 6 . 0 6 . 7 8 Witton, Birmingham GP X 0 5 . 0 8 . 7 8 Barnsley (YorksWR) 1 2 5 k m NNE

EH 4 2 8 1 4 Pull 2 3 . 0 6 . 7 8 Smethwick (Staffs) GP X 2 3 . 1 0 . 7 8 Kirtling (Cambs) 1 6 5 k m E

EH 4 5 5 0 8 Pull 2 8 . 0 6 . 7 8 Compton Verney (Warks) ARG X 1 1 . 1 2 . 7 8 Dorchester (Dorset) 1 7 0 k m S S W

EF 8 1 7 0 2 Pull 0 5 . 0 7 . 7 5 Long Marston (Warks) ARG V 16 .12 .78 Minsterworth (Glos) 4 5 k m S W

Moorhen Helgoland Juv 4 9 7 9 5 2

x

Coot G P 8 5 5 3 7 Ad

x

Lapwing DS 4 0 2 3 2 Ad.M

+

DS 2 6 4 6 1 Pull x

DR 2 9 9 1 0 FG x

Arnhem 3 0 5 4 7 7 4

Pull

1 3 . 0 8 . 7 5

— . 0 1 . 7 8

0 3 . 0 3 . 7 6 ( 0 7 . 0 4 . 7 8 )

0 8 . 0 2 . 7 5 2 7 . 0 7 . 7 5

2 6 . 0 5 . 7 7 0 1 . 0 3 . 7 8 2 8 . 1 1 . 7 6 0 5 . 0 4 . 7 8 2 6 . 0 5 . 6 4

1 6 . 0 2 . 7 5 — . 1 0 . 7 8

Stade (Niedersachsen) West Germany Near Rugby (Warks)

Blithfield (Staffs) Ilkeston (Derby)

5 3 ° 3 4 ' N 0 9 ° 3 2 ' E ARG

IPB 4 4 k m ENE

Long Marston (Warks) ARG Marais de Varaville (Calvados) France

4 9 ° 1 5 ' N 0 0 ° 0 9 ' W Charlecote (Warks) ARG Seaton (Devon) 1 9 5 k m S W Blithfield (Staffs) CDTM Bury St. Edmunds (Suffolk) 1 7 0 k m ESE Hondsbosse Zeezering (Noord Holland) Netherlands Blithfield (Staffs) Burgervlotbrug (Noord Holland) Netherlands

5 2 ° 4 4 ' N 0 4 ° 3 8 ' E CDTM

5 2 ° 4 5 ' N 0 4 ° 4 1 ' E

Dunlin BB 8 0 0 3 5 Ad 0 7 . 0 2 . 7 6 Draycote (Warks)

18 .07 .78 Ottenby (Oland) Sweden BRG

5 6 ° 1 2 ' N 1 6 ° 2 4 ' E

Snipe XC 6 8 9 7 1 FG

v XB 6 7 9 2 1 Ad

x

2 6 . 0 8 . 7 7 Holt (Worcs) 0 2 . 0 1 . 7 8 Sturminster Newton (Dorset) 3 0 . 0 1 . 7 7 Dorridge (Warks' ) — . 1 1 . 7 8 Oldenburg (Schleswig-Holstein)

West Germany

SW 1 4 3 k m S PLI/JSS

5 4 ° 1 7 ' N 1 0 ° 4 8 ' E

Green Sandpiper CJ 6 1 5 2 9 Ad 2 2 . 0 7 . 7 2

+ 1 5 . 0 9 . 7 5 Blithfield (Staffs) Oyarzun (Guipuzcoa) Spain

SCB 4 3 ° 1 7 ' N 0 1 ° 5 0 ' W

110

Black-headed Gull GFA/IPB/ARG/WGG/PLI/AHNR The table gives the month and locality of ringing or recovery for Black-headed Gulls caught in the club's area during the winter months.

J F M A M J J A S O N D Total

British Isles 0 - 1 0 0 k m 2 6 1 — — — — — — 1 — 2 12 1 0 1 - 2 3 0 k m 1 2 — 1 — — — — — _ 1 _ 5

Estonia — — — — — 1 — — — — — — 1 Latvia — — — — — 1 — — — — — — 1 Finland — — — 1 2 2 — _ _ _ _ _ 5 S w e d e n — — — — — 1 2 — — — — — 3 Norway — — — — — 1 — — — — — — 1 Denmark — — — 2 1 3 — 1 — — — — 7 Germany W & E — — 1 2 1 — 2 — — — — — 6 Poland — — — — 1 1 — — — — — — 2 Nether lands — — 1 1 1 1 1 — — 1 — — 6 Belgium 1 — — — — — 1 — — — — — 2 France — — — — — — — — — — — 1 1

EB 9 0 9 3 6 Ad 3 1 . 1 2 . 7 7 Studley (Warks) x 2 4 . 1 2 . 7 8 Quimac (Loire-Atlantique) France

4 7 ° 2 4 ' N 0 2 ° 2 9 ' W

The above is the first French recovery from ringing Gulls on Midlands rubbish tips.

Lesser Black-backed Gull Lesser Black-backed Gulls ringed in Warwickshire were recovered as follows

-Ringed-

ARG/WGG/SW and Worcestershire

GK 4 0 4 3 8 3 1 . 1 2 . 7 7 0 3 . 0 6 . 7 8 GK 1 9 9 3 7 2 7 . 1 1 . 7 6 2 1 . 0 6 . 7 8 GK 6 6 6 2 2 1 8 . 0 2 . 7 8 1 0 . 0 8 . 7 8

Recovered Preston (Lanes) 1 9 0 k m N N W Fame Islands (Northumberland) 3 7 5 k m N Mallaig (Inverness) 5 7 5 k m N N W

Also 10 birds ringed during the winter were culled atTarnbrook (Lanes) in May 1978

Lesser Black-backed Gulls recovered in Warwickshire or Worcestershire were ringed as pulli as follows

-Ringed Recovered GP 2 2 5 3 1 2 5 . 0 6 . 6 9 G M 2 1 5 9 , 7 0 3 . 0 7 . 6 5 GK 6 6 6 2 9 0 7 . 0 7 . 6 8 G P 4 9 9 3 0 0 6 . 0 7 . 7 0 G M 6 7 9 3 4 1 6 . 0 7 . 6 7

Skokholm (Pembroke) Walney Island (Lanes) Walney Island Walney Island Penmon, Anglesey

2 1 . 0 1 . 7 8 1 8 . 0 2 . 7 8 1 8 . 0 2 . 7 8 1 8 . 0 2 . 7 8 1 7 . 0 9 . 7 8

2 2 5 k m E 2 1 5 k m SSE 2 1 5 k m SSE 2 1 5 k m SSE 1 7 0 k m SE

AJ 4 3 3 1 1 Pull 2 2 . 0 8 . 6 1 Fame Islands (Northumberland) v 2 8 . 1 2 . 7 6 Evesham (Worcs) 3 9 5 k m S x 2 0 . 0 6 . 7 8 Bamburgh (Northumberland) 3 9 5 k m N

111

Barn Owl G P 8 9 7 4 3 Pull 0 2 . 0 7 . 7 6 Shenstone (Staffs) CDTM

V 1 2 . 0 4 . 7 8 Chippenham (Wilts) 1 2 5 k m S S W G P 9 3 0 2 7 Pull 0 5 . 0 8 . 7 6 Charlecote (Warks) ARG

+ 1 3 . 0 7 . 7 8 between Stowmarket & Haughley (Suffolk) 1 6 5 k m E

Swi f t S E 9 3 5 9 1 Ad 0 9 . 0 6 . 7 4 Belvide Reservoir (Staffs) PGD

V 2 4 . 0 6 . 7 8 Rawtenstall (Lanes) 1 1 0 k m N Sand Mart in KJ 6 4 0 7 5 Juv 2 2 . 0 7 . 7 6 Holt (Worcs) CMH

V 10 .06 7 8 Lista (Vest Agder) Norway 5 8 ° 0 5 ' N 0 6 ° 4 0 ' E KH 4 6 6 1 9 Juv 2 8 . 0 7 . 7 6 Holt CMH

V 16 .06 .78 Ringwood Forest (Hants) 160km SSE KJ 6 4 5 6 2 Juv 2 3 . 0 7 . 7 6 Holt CMH

V 0 2 . 0 7 . 7 8 Farnham (Surrey) 155km SE KK 8 7 1 7 0 Ad.M 0 4 . 0 7 . 7 6 Meriden (Warks*) PLI

V 0 6 . 0 8 . 7 8 Meriden V 3 0 . 0 8 . 7 8 Hiers-Brouage (Charente Maritim

France ie)

4 5 ° 5 2 ' N 0 1 ° 0 4 ' W KJ 6 4 1 1 3 Juv 2 2 . 0 7 . 7 6 Holt CMH

V 0 3 . 0 9 . 7 8 Hiers-Brouage (Charente Marit ime) France 4 5 ° 5 2 ' N 0 1 ° 0 4 ' W

A 0 8 3 4 2 7 Juv 0 5 . 0 8 . 7 8 Ombersley (Worcs) SW V 0 3 . 0 9 . 7 8 Rochester (Kent) 2 1 0 k m SE

KN 7 2 9 5 1 Juv 0 2 . 0 7 . 7 7 Egham (Surrey) V 2 1 . 0 6 . 7 8 Holt (Worcs) 1 4 5 k m N W

SW K E 1 3 1 9 6 Ad 2 1 . 0 5 . 7 7 Great Linford (Bucks)

V 2 1 . 0 6 . 7 8 Holt 11 5km W N W SW

Paris Juv 0 3 . 0 9 . 7 7 Hiers-Brouage (Charente Marit ime) 2 5 3 9 7 5 7 France 4 5 ° 5 2 ' N 0 1 ° 0 4 ' W

V 1 2 . 0 7 . 7 8 Holt SW KX 5 4 6 0 0 1Y 1 7 .09 .78 Errol (Perths)

V 0 1 . 1 0 . 7 8 Brandon (Warks) 4 5 5 k m S BRG

Swal low Paris Juv 0 2 . 1 0 . 7 6 Luzarches (Seine et Oise) France 4 9 ° 0 7 ' N 0 2 ° 2 3 ' E 2 2 5 7 8 8 7

GFA / X 0 7 . 0 5 . 7 8 Studley (Warks) GFA /

KS 3 1 9 0 6 Juv 2 5 .09 .77 Brandon (Warks) BRG X 2 0 . 0 6 . 7 8 Sandbach (Ches) 1 0 0 k m N W

KS 8 0 2 8 8 Juv 2 7 . 0 8 . 7 7 Severn Stoke (Worcs) JRH V 0 3 . 0 9 . 7 7 Chichester (Sussex) 170km SE

KC 1 0 3 2 2 Juv 1 8 . 0 9 . 7 6 Wicken Fen (Cambs) S W V 1 0 . 0 9 . 7 8 Holt (Worcs) 175km W

KJ 0 9 5 3 0 Ad 2 3 . 0 5 . 7 7 Dronfield (Derbys) V 0 1 . 1 0 . 7 8 Brandon (Warks) 102km S

BRG

112

House Mart in JX 6 7 0 4 0 fu l l

Ye l low Wagtai l ? 1Y

x A 0 B 3 5 1 6 1 Y . M

12 .07 .7C Muckha i l (Peillis) 0 1 . 0 5 . 7 8 Brandon (Warks)

2 1 . 0 8 . 7 7 Doxey Marshes (Staffs) 0 2 . 0 9 . 7 8 Radipole Lake (Dorset) 2 3 . 0 8 . 7 8 Holt (Worcs) 1 7 . 0 9 . 7 8 near Leiria (Beira-Litoral) Portugal

4 5 5 k m SSE BRG

DJ 2 4 0 k m S S W

3 9 ° 4 5 ' N 0 8 ° 4 9 ' W

Pied Wagta i l KX 4 0 5 8 4 Juv 2 0 . 1 0 . 7 7 Stourport-on-Severn (Worcs) JRM

X 1 7 . 0 4 . 7 8 Balloch (Dunbartonshire) 4 3 0 k m N N W KN 0 9 3 2 0 Ad .M 1 6 . 1 0 . 7 6 Hewell Grange (Worcs) HRB

X ( 2 4 . 0 4 . 7 8 ) Portsoy (Banff) 5 9 0 k m N A 1 8 9 9 7 2 1 Y.F 1 9 . 1 0 . 7 8 Holt (Worcs) SW

v 1 7 . 1 2 . 7 8 Northampton 9 2 k m E KP 3 3 2 2 0 Pull 2 1 . 0 5 . 7 7 Chapel-en-le-Frith (Derby)

v 0 7 . 1 0 . 7 8 Arrow (Warks) 125km S ARG

Blackbird XA 5 3 0 7 5 Ad.F 2 1 . 1 2 . 7 5 Temple Grafton (Warks) ARG

+ — . 0 5 . 7 6 Svenstrup (Sjaelland) Denmark 5 5 ° 2 9 ' N 1 1 ° 5 7 ' E XB 5 0 1 0 3 Ad.F 1 8 . 0 1 . 7 6 Coombe (Warks) BRG

X 1 6 . 0 6 . 7 8 Oldenburg (Aurich & Oldenburgh) West Germany 5 3 ° 0 8 ' N 0 8 ° 1 5'E

XB 8 0 4 5 5 1 Y.F 0 3 . 1 2 . 7 7 Haselor (Warks) ARG + 2 7 . 0 6 . 7 8 Duffell (Antwerpen) Belgium 51 ° 0 6 ' N 0 4 ° 3 0 ' E

? 1 Y . M 2 9 . 1 1.75 Stoke on Trent (Staffs) DJ X 2 2 . 0 8 . 7 8 Brona (Kristianstad) Sweden 5 6 ° 2 5 ' N 1 3 ° 4 1 ' E

CH 7 9 5 1 2 Ad.F 1 9 . 1 2 . 7 4 Sandon (Staffs) IPB X 0 4 . 1 1.78 Harlingen (Friesland) Netherlands 5 3 ° 13 'N 0 5 ° 2 7 ' E

Only foreign Blackbird recoveries are given in full. Four other Blackbirds handled in the club's area in 1978 showed movements of between 110km.and 165km.

Fieldfare XA 8 2 8 5 0 A d . M

x 1 3 . 0 2 . 7 7 Broadwas (Worcs) CMH ( 2 1 . 0 2 . 7 8 ) Aurich, West Germany 5 3 ° 2 8 ' N 0 7 ° 2 9 ' E

Song Thrush CX 9 5 6 8 0 Ad

x NX 5 0 2 3 5 Juv

+

2 1 . 1 0 . 7 3 Brandon (Warks) 1 5 . 0 4 . 7 8 Stafford 1 7 . 0 9 . 7 8 Packington Park (Warks) 1 8 . 1 0 . 7 8 Arruda area (Estremadura)

Portugal

BRG 6 5 k m N W DKC

3 8 ° 5 9 ' N 0 9 ° 0 4 ' W

113

Redwing XA 1 1 5 8 0 1Y 1 3 . 0 3 . 7 7 Weston-under-Lizard (Staffs) PGD

+ 1 7 . 1 0 . 7 7 Gray (Haute-Saone) France 4 7 ° 2 2 ' N 0 5 ° 4 3 ' E XR 8 0 3 5 6 1Y 2 9 . 1 2 . 7 6 Haselor (Warks) ARG

+ ( 14 .01 .78 ) Art ax (Ipiros) Greece 3 9 " 0 S ' N 2 0 ° 5 9 ' E BV 5 1 9 2 8 Ad 1 6 . 0 1 . 7 7 Broadwas (Worcs) CMH

+ 1 6 . 0 2 . 7 8 Evord (Alto Alentajo) Portugal 3 8 ° 3 4 ' N 0 7 ° 5 4 ' W XA 8 2 7 1 1 PJ 3 1 . 1 0 . 7 6 Pershore (Worcs) CMH

+ 1 9 . 0 2 . 7 8 Coruche (Ribatejo) Portugal 3 8 ° 5 8 ' N 0 8 ° 2 9 ' W CH 1 8 4 3 0 PJ 13 .02 .77 Maer Hills (Staffs) DE

X 2 3 . 0 2 . 7 8 Cley (Norfolk) 2 2 5 k m E

Grasshopper Warbler KR 4 8 9 6 2 Pull 0 4 . 0 6 . 7 7 Beckley (Oxon)

V 0 1 . 0 5 . 7 8 Brandon (Warks) 6 5 k m N N W BRG

Up to the end of 1977 only 15 Grasshopper Warblers had been recovered nationally. This is the first occasion that the species has been recorded in the Ringing section of this club's annual reports.

Sedge Warbler KR 1 3 7 9 8 Ad 2 4 . 0 6 . 7 7 Brandon (Warks) BRG

V 0 2 . 0 5 . 7 8 La Fougeraie, Sark, Channel

( Islands 4 9 ° 2 7 ' N 0 2 ° 2 1 ' W

Reed Warbler KH 4 6 0 7 6 PJ 2 0 . 0 5 . 7 6 Hallow (Worcs) CMH

V 0 7 . 0 5 . 7 8 Grouville Marsh, Jersey, Channel Islands 4 9 ° 1 2 ' N 0 2 ° 0 3 ' W

K R 4 6 7 9 1 1Y 18 .09 .77 Brandon (Warks) BRG V 1 8 . 0 6 . 7 8 Gillingham (Norfolk) 1 9 5 k m E

KR 1 7 2 4 2 Juv 1 2 . 0 6 . 7 7 Packington Park (Warks) DKC V 0 2 . 0 8 . 7 8 Wrotham (Kent) 1 9 0 k m SE

KV 2 0 3 4 6 Pull 2 2 . 0 6 . 7 8 Defford (Worcs) GHG V 1 9 . 0 8 . 7 8 Portsmouth (Hants) 155km SSE

KB 3 6 9 0 7 1Y 2 4 . 0 8 . 7 5 Brandon (Warks) BRG V 2 6 . 0 6 . 7 6 Frisby-on-the-Wreake (Leics) 4 0 k m NE V 2 0 . 0 8 . 7 8 Oakley (Worcs) 9 0 k m S W

SW K E 6 3 0 1 3 1Y 2 7 . 0 8 . 7 5 Corsham Lake (Wilts)

V 1 3 . 0 6 . 7 8 Brandon (Warks) 1 1 5 k m NNE BRG

A further 18 Reed Warblers showed movements of less than 80km.

114

Blackcap K R 1 7 1 8 2 Ad.M 0 8 . 0 5 . 7 7 Packingtnn Park (Warks) DKC

• + ( 0 9 . 0 2 . 7 8 ) Ain Temonchent (Oran) Algeria 3 5 ° 1 8 ' N 01 ° 0 9 ' W KN 0 7 6 6 6 FG.F 2 8 . 0 8 . 7 7 Droitwich (Worcs) CMH

V 1 1 .05 .78 Portland Bill (Dorset) 1 8 5 k m S K V 7 4 0 2 9 1Y 17 .07 7 8 Chew Valley Lake (Somerset)

V 0 3 . 0 9 . 7 8 Brandon (Warks) 1 4 5 k m NE BRG

Chifffchaff 4 A 7 4 1 4 1Y 2 3 . 0 0 . 7 7 Headington Hill, Oxhjrd

V 2 4 . 0 9 . 7 8 Welford-on-Avon (Warks) 6 0 k m N N W ARG

Goldcrest OB 7 9 6 7 FG.F 1 4 . 1 0 . 7 8 Sutton Park (Warks*) NJS

V 1 6 . 1 2 . 7 8 Skegness (Lines) 1 5 5 k m ENE

Bearded Tit KX 7 2 9 3 9 FG.F 2 1 . 1 0 . 7 7 Goole (Yorks)

V 0 5 . 0 3 . 7 8 Brandon (Warks) 1 5 0 k m S S W BRG

Long Tailed Tit 7 A 4 8 0 1 Juv 2 7 . 0 6 . 7 8 Ombersley (Worcs) SW & 7A 4 8 0 4 v 0 3 . 1 1 . 7 8 Sutton Coldfield (Warks*) 4 3 k m NNE

AW

Great T i t BP 3 7 2 0 2 FG.F 2 7 . 0 2 . 7 2 Southport (Lanes)

V 2 8 . 1 2 . 7 3 Penkridge (Staffs) 115km SE V 1 9 . 0 9 . 7 5 Penkridge

Starling C V 4 2 3 7 5 FG 0 4 . 1 2 . 7 6 Throckmorton (Worcs) GHG

X — . 0 4 . 7 7 near Lakhdenpokh'ya, Lake Ladoga Karelian ASSR 6 1 ° 3 0 ' N 3 0 ° 1 2 ' E

X C 0 0 5 1 4 PJ.M 13 .02 .77 Harbourne. Birmingham MWC X 0 2 . 0 9 . 7 7 Radviliskis, Lithuanian SSR 5 5 ° 4 8 ' N 2 5 ° 3 0 ' E

XB 5 8 6 6 6 PJ 1 1 . 0 2 . 7 6 Bournville, Birmingham GFA + ( 0 1 . 0 2 . 7 8 ) Gainsborough (Lines) 145km NE

XX 5 0 1 3 4 1 Y.F 2 8 . 0 2 . 7 6 Bearley (Warks) ARG ? 2 0 . 0 3 . 7 8 Zelenogradsk (Kaliningrad) USSR

5 4 ° 5 7 ' N 2 0 ° 3 0 ' E XB 1 8 1 7 4 PJ.F 0 6 . 0 1 . 7 6 Bournville, Birmingham GFA

X 0 2 . 0 4 . 7 8 Roin, Tar tu , Estonia 5 8 ° 2 0 ' N 2 6 ° 4 4 ' E XC 4 1 2 4 5 PJ 2 6 . 0 2 . 7 7 Droitwich (Worcs) GHG

X 2 4 . 0 6 . 7 8 Copenhagen (Sjaelland) Denmark 5 5 ° 4 3 ' N 1 2 ° 3 4 ' E

115

XB 6 1 6 8 4 Ad.M 2 5 . 0 2 . 7 8 Knowle, Solihull (Warks*) PJW V 2 9 . 0 7 . 7 8 Emden (Aurich) W e s t Germany 5 3 ° 2 2 ' N 0 7 ° 14'E

XB 5 8 7 0 5 PJ 2 5 . 0 2 . 7 6 Bournville. Birmingham GFA V 0 4 . 1 0 . 7 8 Nieuregein (Utrecht) Holland 5 2 ° 0 1 ' N 0 5 ° 0 6 ' E

Copenhagen 8 6 2 3 8 5 5 1Y 1 8 . 0 9 . 7 0 Amager (Sjaelland) Denmark 5 5 ° 3 8 ' N 1 2 ° 3 4 ' E

V 1 0 . 1 1 . 7 8 Knowle, Solihull (Warks*) PJW

Tree Sparrow KN 6 7 7 1 6 PJ 2 5 . 0 9 . 7 6 Packington Park (Warks) DKC

X 2 7 . 0 2 . 7 8 Warminster (Wilts) 1 3 5 k m S S W

Chaffinch -

JH 1 6 4 9 2 Ad.M 2 0 . 0 2 . 7 8 Temple Grafton (Warks) ARG X 0 9 . 0 4 . 7 8 Halsingborg (Malmohus) Sweden

5 6 ° 0 4 ' N 1 2 ° 4 0 ' E Arnhem 1 Y.F 13 .10 .77 Leerdam (Zuid Holland) 3 7 8 4 0 3 Netherlands 51 ° 5 4 ' N 0 5 ° 0 6 ' E

V 1 2 . 0 1 . 7 8 Flyford Flavell (Worcs) Arnhem PJ.F 3 0 . 1 2 . 7 6 Voorschoten (Zuid Holland) B 3 8 0 6 0 1 Netherlands 5 2 ° 0 7 ' N 0 4 ° 2 5 ' E

V 7 1 . 0 1 . 7 8 Hallow (Worcc) SW V 2 1 . 0 2 . 7 8 Hallow

Arnhem 1 Y.M 1 8 . 1 0 . 7 8 Zandvoort (Nord) Netherlands D 4 3 1 1 3 3 5 2 ° 2 1 ' N 0 4 ° 3 2 ' E

V 0 2 . 1 2 . 7 8 Sutton Coldfield (Warks*) AW Stockholm Ad.F 1 0 . 0 9 . 7 8 Norra Rada (Varmland) Sweden 2 6 6 3 3 6 6 6 0 ° 0 0 ' N 1 3 ° 3 6 ' E

V 0 3 . 1 2 . 7 8 Weston-under-Lizard (Staffs) PGD

Brambling JV 8 7 4 6 3 1 Y .M 2 5 . 0 1 . 7 6 Chillington (Staffs) PTB

X 2 8 . 0 2 . 7 8 near Lubeck (Schleswig-Holstein) West Germany 5 3 ° 5 9 ' N 1 0 ° 3 9 ' E

Greenfinch BJ 9 6 5 6 9 1 Y.F 0 4 . 0 9 . 7 1 Barford (Warks) ARG

V 1 7 . 0 1 : 7 8 Ebbw Vale (Monmouth) 11 5km S W NC 4 9 1 5 6 1 Y .M 1 9 . 0 3 . 7 8 Bidford-on-Avon (Warks) ARG

X 0 7 . 0 5 . 7 8 Bourne (Lines) 1 1 5 k m NE NC 7 7 7 1 6 1 Y .M 1 1 .12.77 Packington Park (Warks) DKC

X ( 21 .06 .78 ) Croydon (Surrey) 1 6 5 k m SE BS 6 4 4 9 7 1 Y.F 2 3 . 0 1 . 7 6 Crookham (Hants)

V 0 8 . 0 2 . 7 8 Berkswell (Warks*) 1 3 5 k m N N W TG/PLI

A further 14 recoveries were reported during 1978, in which the movement was less than 100km.

116

Siskin K.R 2 4 7 7 0 TY.M

v Bruxelles Ad.M 2 0 3 4 7 9

v KB 2 4 1 1 6 1 Y .M

v

0 4 . 0 4 . 7 8 Bournville, Birmingham 1 5 . 0 4 . 7 8 Epping (Essex) 2 9 . 1 0 . 7 5 Knokke sur Mer (West Flanders)

Belgium 0 5 . 0 2 . 7 8 Penkridge (Staffs) 1 8 . 0 4 . 7 6 Sherringham (Norfolk) 1 2 . 0 3 . 7 8 Sutton Coldfield (Warks ' )

GFA " • ^ l 5 8 k m ESE"

51 ° 2 2 ' N 0 3 ° 2 2 ' E PTB

2 0 5 k m W S W AW

Read Bunting A 1 3 3 7 4 1 1 Y.F

v KJ 7 6 7 0 4 PJ.F

v

2 0 . 0 8 . 7 8 Droitwich (Worcs) 2 8 . 1 2 . 7 8 Usk (Monmouth) 0 6 . 0 3 . 7 7 Frampton-on-Severn (Glos) 0 5 . 0 2 . 7 8 Wolston (Warks)

S W 7 8 k m SW

9 3 k m NE BRG

Key t o Ringer's Initials GFA G F Appleton WGG Worcester Gull Group PTB P T Bache CMH C M Hemmings IPB I P Bainbridge JRH J R Hodson SCB S C Brown PLI P L Ireland HRB H R Bryan DJ D James DKC D K Chesterman CDTM C D T Minton A EC A E Coleman JRM J R Mountford MWC M W Cooke GP G Pike PGD P G Deans AHNR A H N Roberts DE D Emley +JSS J S Shindler TG T Gray NJS N J Speak GHG G H Green SW S Walker ARG Arden Ringing Group AW A Whitaker BRG Brandon Ringing Group PJW P J Wilkinson

In many cases the recoveries attributed to one particular ringer could not have come about without assistance given by other ringers, trainees or helpers.

117

Key to Contributors

The following members and non-members have forwarded material for the report.

J Abbott H Adams G F Appleton R Armfield G A Arnold M A Arnold N G Arnold J A Asbury R S Atkins F Aughtie M J Austin

P Bache t M r s Baker

F Baldry Mrs V A Baldry J E C Baldwin P J Barden P G Oarratt A Bash Miss M Baxter

(MBa) L R Bayes M Bellamy J T Belsey B Bentley A R M Blake K J Bollington

tE J Bradford t M r s W G Bradford

C P Brooking A Broomhall (ABr) Mrs V Brown R Brownsword G C Bruton C Bullock D E Butler G H C Byford

L G Catlin P J Cheddar R O Cherry D K Chesterman E S Clare S N Clark

tJ Clarke M D Clement

K G Clifford A E Coleman T J Cooper per Mrs P Copson B Craddock A Curran

M Daley A Darlington Miss V A L Davies C Davis R E Davis J J Day A J Dean A R Dean T Dean P K Dedicoat B D Deer I J Dix J M Dodgson C Dodson T Doyle

tMiss E A Eatell R L Edwards S F L Edwards J A Elmore D W E m l e y J Emley D Estorley G Evans

tMrs I M Evans R J Evans J C Eyre-Dickinson

P J Finden D J Fisher K R Fletcher J E Fortey B Foster

N D Galloway P A G I u t h T Gray G H Green F C Gribble

Brandon Marsh Conservation Group

Brandon Ringing Group

C J Hall A J Hambury A Hands S Harrap G R Harrison Mrs J V Harrison M Harrison Miss A Hartless A W Hatfield D M Hawker Miss R Ha worth S M Haynes R F W Hemming K C Hill R M Hobbs C Hodgson J R Hodson P Hogg J J Holian M J Hollis E A Hopkins G Hopkins N Hopkins R A Hume J R Hutchings

(JRHu) P D Hyde

M J Inskip

C B Jackson P K Jackson A FJacobs D James (DJa) M James W James R J Jennett N Jennings A PJohnson D Jones M FJones

A Keatley tR Keeling

P P Kelly H W Key M H King K N Kingscott B L Kington

tMrs 0 L Lancaster tT W Lancaster tR Langdon

C B Lee H T Lees M C Levi C Linfoot T C E Link K A Loveridge W J Low W G Luton

I R Machin N C Machin G J Mant D V Mardle B M Marsh J P Martin R M a skew R C Mays S McMinn A J Mil lward A Moran P A Moran Mrs T Moran J R Mountford

A W B Nelson Dr J E Newcombe G K Nicholls S C Nicholls L M Normand R Normand

R Orton

Mrs L Palmer E G Phillips G V Pike

118

Mrs H Porteous D I Porter C H Potter Mrs D Powel l

Mrs 0 R e e d J Reed A J Richards I N Ricketts M s J P Ricketts 0 R Roberts u Robertson D H Rogers Mrs R S Royle C Rutter

C R Sanders

G R Satchwell B Slater P Slater D Smallshire J Smith M S Smith T C Smout G W Spriggs D A Stone G Summers R Swif t

W Taylor tMrs M E Thomas

Mrs P A Thomas R J Thomas

C R Thouless T M Thurlsfield Miss G E Timmins J V Tranter D Tromans J Tromans E H Tunnicliffe

t M r s J M Turner

D T U n d e r h i l l K Verrall C W Walker S Walker M Waterhouse

(MWa) M i s s Y M Way-J Welch

S K Welch B Westwood I C Whliehouse M Whitehouse S M Whitehouse Mrs M L Wil l iams P Wil l iams R Winstanley A J W o o d R J Woodhead Mrs E M Woolrich

Dr D W Yalden

t M e m b e r of Warwick Natural History Society

Species requiring descriptions To be acceptable for publication, records of the following species must be accompanied by a description sufficient to show how the species was identified and to eliminate all other similar species. The poor standard of many descriptions continues to cause the Editorial Committee concern and in some cases leads to records being rejected. As a guide, observers are reminded that descriptions should include notes on weather conditions; habitat; distance and period of observation; optics used; other species present; previous experience of the species; behaviour and actions when flying, feeding or moving; size and shape of head, neck, body, tail, wings, bill and legs and call or song as well as a systematic description of plumage including colour of upperparts and underparts, the colour and position of any conspicuous marks and the colour of bill, legs, feet and eyes.

All national rarities (not published unless accepted by the "British Birds" Rarities Committee) All out-of-season migrants Unusual races Divers Grebes, other than Great Crested and Little Petrels and Shearwaters Gannet and Shag Herons other than Grey Whooper Swan Geese other than Grey Lag and Canada

119

Duck: Red-crested Pochard, Ferruginous, Scaup, Eider, Long-tailed, Scoter spp, Smew and Red-breasted Merganser Raptors other than Sparrowhawk, Buzzard and Kestrel Quail Crakes other than Water Rail Waders: Avocet, Kentish Plover, Dotterel, Grey Plover, Temminck's Stint, Pectoral Sandpiper, Purple Sandpiper, Wood Sandpiper and Phalaropes Skuas Gulls: Mediterranean, Little, Sabine's, Iceland, Glaucous and Kittiwake Terns: Sandwich, Roseate and Little Auks Long-eared Owl Hoopoe and Wryneck Woodlark and Shorelark Rock/Water Pipit Waxwing Bluethroat Black Redstart Warblers: Cetti's, Marsh, Icterine, Melodious, Dartford, Barred and Yellow-browed Red-breasted Flycatcher Bearded Tit Golden Oriole Shrikes Raven Twite Hawfinch Buntings: Lapland, Snow, Cirl and Ortolan

Printing: Charles Clarke (Haywards Heath) Ltd