31/12/2013

Wishing you all a Very Happy New Year.

31/12/02013 Hatherton Reservoir

I have just got back from my last walk around the Raz of 2013 I saw - Great Tit, Blue Tit, Blackbird, Dunnock, Magpie, Wood Pigeon, Crow, Mute Swan, Coot, Moorhen, Tufted Duck, Mallard, Chaffinch, Great spotted Woodpecker, Robin, Green Woodpecker, Long-tailed Tit, on my first lap there were 100+ Black-headed Gulls, yet on my second lap they had all disappeared, probably gone over to join their mates at Chasewater!

29/12/2013 Hatherton Reservoir

On a walk around the Raz this morning I saw- Great Tit, Blue Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Magpie, Blackbird, Robin, Great spotted Woodpecker, Wood Pigeon, Jay, Bullfinch, Tufted Duck, Mallard, Coot, Moorhen, Mute Swan, 100+Black-headed Gulls, 1 Kingfisher, Crow, Song Thrush, House Sparrow, a small flock of Siskins and Redpolls. Further along the brook I saw A flock of Redwing and 3 Teal.

  

A key on a key ring has been found along the path by the reservoir, please contact me if you know who it belongs to.

25/12/2013

Wishing you all A very Happy Christmas.

14/12/2013 Hatherton Reservoir

A short walk around the patch today produced - Grey Heron, Mute Swan, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Coot, Moorhen, Magpie, Great Tit, Blue Tit, 8 Redwing, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Crow, Wood Pigeon, Black-headed Gull, Buzzard, Long-tailed Tit, Great spotted Woodpecker and House Sparrow.

08/12/2013 Hatherton Reservoir

On a walk around the Raz today I saw - 8 Redwings, Magpie, Wood Pigeon, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Goldfinch, Great spotted Woodpecker, Green Woodpecker, Mute Swan, Coot, Moorhen, Black-headed Gull, Mallard, Robin, Chaffinch, Buzzard, Crow and Starling.

02/12/2013 Belvide Reservoir

Today we spent the morning at Belvide and I saw - Goldeneye, Coot, Moorhen, Pochard, Great crested Grebe, Tufted Duck, Grey Heron, Lapwing, Buzzard, Mallard, Canada Geese, Black-headed Gull, Shoveler, Water Rail, Wren, Kestrel, Lesser black-backed Gull, Greylag Geese, Blackbird, Goldfinch, Mute Swan, Robin, Tree Sparrow, Nuthatch, Blue Tit, Cormorant, Dunnock, Great Tit, Greenfinch, Teal, Wigeon, Fieldfare, Redwing, Gadwall, Scaup, Pied Wagtail, Great black-backed Gull, Cetti's Warbler, Bullfinch and Starling. Then it was back to the car park for a rather late lunch! before heading home.

An epic journey is about to begin

Not long now before his journey begins, follow him on https://twitter.com/WalkingTheNile Good luck Lev and stay safe

30/11/2013 Hatherton Reservoir

On a walk around the Raz today I saw -

Blue Tit, Great Tit, Magpie, Long-tailed Tit, House Sparrow, Bullfinch, Goldfinch, Chaffinch, Robin, Wood Pigeon, Crow, Tufted Duck, Mallard, Coot, Moorhen, 3 Teal, Mute Swan, Black-headed Gull and 2 Lesser black-backed Gulls.

25/11/2013 Doxey Marshes

Doxey Marshes
This mornings venue was Doxey Marsh Stafford, I saw
Snipe, Teal, Greylag Geese, Canada Geese, Shoveler, Mallard, Mute Swan, Reed Bunting, Tufted Duck, Coot, Wigeon, Cormorant, Black-headed Gull, Lapwing, Blackbird, House Sparrow, Great Tit, Robin, Goldfinch, Magpie, Goldeneye, Grey Heron, Goosander, Moorhen, Starling, Lesser black-backed Gull, Fieldfare, Stonechat, Kestrel, Buzzard, Meadow Pipit, Wood Pigeon and at least 1 Barnacle Goose. 

After Lunch I went over to Wolseley Bridge SWT in the hope of seeing a Kingfisher. I saw -
Goosander, Mallard, Coot, Black-headed Gull, Mute Swan, Blackbird, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Moorhen, Chaffinch, Wood Pigeon, Raven, Song Thrush, Robin, Coal Tit, Magpie, Crow, Canada Geese and Goldfinch. But no views of a Kingfisher.

Walk the nile

I know this isn't really bird related but I shall be following this  http://www.walkthenile.com/ and wish him good luck and a safe journey.

23/11/2013 Hatherton Reservoir

A chilly afternoon walk around the Raz produced the following - A pair of Great spotted Woodpeckers, Great Tit, Blackbird, Robin, Blue Tit, Wood Pigeon, Magpie, Coot, Moorhen, Tufted Duck, Mallard, Mute Swan, Black-headed Gull, Starling, Crow, 3 Teal, Bullfinch, Chaffinch, Long-tailed Tit, Wren and a Cormorant flew over.

18/11/2013 Belvide Reservoir

Pochard, Tufted Duck, Goldeneye, Great crested Grebe, Mallard, Gadwall, Coot, Cormorant, Lapwing, Blue Tit, Great Tit, 2 Long-tailed Duck, Black-headed Gull, Greylag Geese, Scaup, Grey Heron, Shoveler, Snipe, Fieldfare, Redwing, Wood Pigeon, Lesser black-backed Gull, Canada Geese, Teal, Wigeon, Starling, Mute Swan, Pheasant, Crow, Rook, Moorhen, Blackbird, Wren, Robin, Tree Creeper, Tree Sparrow, Dunnock, Goldfinch, Nuthatch, Sparrowhawk, Buzzard, Herring Gull, Magpie, we also stayed for the Starling roost which was very good.   

11/11/2013 Potteric Carr Nature Reserve, Yorkshire

It was not a good day weather wise for birding, but it did brighten a little later in the day, I saw-

Black-headed Gull, Shoveler, Mallard, Goldfinch, Gadwall, Tufted Duck, Teal, Moorhen, Grey Heron, Snipe, Mute Swan, Coot. Wigeon, Wood Pigeon, Little Egret, Crow, Pochard, Pheasant, Magpie, Cormorant, Goosander, Green Woodpecker, Common Gull, Great black-backed Gull, Lesser Black backed Gull, Golden Plover, Starling, Long tailed Tit, Blackbird, Fieldfare, Robin, Jay, Lapwing and a possible Marsh Harrier, it was too quick to get a good look!

05/11/2013 Chasewater

As a Great Northern Diver had been reported at Chasewater I decided to nip down there before lunch and the weather seemed to be brightening up!  When I got there it was throwing it down with rain after a while it eased so I ventured out.  It was extremely windy, I walked along the dam wall no sign of the Diver then as I was walking back I got a quick view of the Great Northern Diver just before it dived, then it surfaced briefly again before diving again.  I also saw Black-headed Gull, Great Crested Grebe, Coot, Mute Swan Canada Geese and Pied Wagtail.  I’d had enough of battling the strong wind so headed home for lunch.

04/11/2013 Cannock Chase and Blithfiled

Upper Longdon  

we looked here first in the hope of seeing a great Grey Shrike but we had no luck, I only saw Magpie, Crow, Wood Pigeon and Buzzard.

The Cadet huts

Here I saw Wood Pigeon, Chaffinch, Robin, a large flock of Brambling, 8 Crossbills, Jay, Meadow Pipit, Stonechat, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Green Woodpecker, Crow, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Coal Tit, Goldcrest, Magpie and Pied Wagtail.

Blithfield

After lunch my mate and I went over to Blithfield I saw- Mallard, Coot, Tufted Duck, Teal, Wigeon, Canada Geese, Greylag Geese, Lapwing, Crow, Shoveler, Great crested Grebe, Grey Heron, Pheasant, Great Tit, Great spotted Woodpecker, Cormorant, Lesser black-backed Gull, Starling, Goosander, Curlew, Buzzard, Pochard, Nuthatch, Black-headed Gull and Song Thrush.

25/10/2013 Hatherton Reservoir

The first thing I saw on my walk was a young Fox being harassed by a flock of Magpies I also saw - Chaffinch, Blackbird, Great Tit, Robin, Goldcrest, Mallard, Moorhen, Coot, Mute Swan, Wood Pigeon, Blue Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Tufted Duck, Great spotted Woodpecker, Crow, 1 Teal, and c 60 Black-headed Gulls.

26/10/2013 Cannock Chase

As a Great grey Shrike had been reported on Cannock Chase near the Cadet huts I went over to see if I could find it!

Birds I saw-

Cadet huts

Jay, Green Woodpecker, Fieldfare, Redwing, Magpie, Wood Pigeon and 1 Great grey Shrike.

Freda’s Grave

Coal Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Chaffinch, Robin, Long tailed Tit, Dunnock, Goldfinch, Nuthatch,  Fieldfare, Raven, and a large flock of Redpolls.

21/10/2013 Attenborough Nature Reserve Nottingham

Today the venue was Attenborough Nature Reserve, but the weather was rather wet to say the least, however I did see the following -

Snipe, Jack Snipe, Cormorant, Mallard, Coot, Egyptian Goose, Teal, Moorhen, Black-headed Gull, Lapwing, Mute Swan, Canada Goose, Tree Sparrow, Great Tit, Chaffinch, Shoveler, Wigeon, Little Grebe, Common Gull, Great crested Grebe, Tufted Duck, Pochard, Stock Dove, Greenfinch, Gadwall, Goldeneye, Dunnock, Kestrel, Goldfinch, Lesser black-backed Gull, Greylag Goose, Herring Gull, Crow, Magpie, Robin, Wood Pigeon, Blackbird, Starling, Grey Heron and Jackdaw.

19/10/2013 Hatherton Reservoir

It was very  quiet around the Raz today but I did see-

Mallard, Mute Swan, Tufted Duck, Coot, Moorhen, Black-headed Gull, Buzzard, Long-tailed Tit, Wood Pigeon, Blackbird, Robin, Crow, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Magpie, Jay, 1 Great spotted Woodpecker, 2 Green Woodpecker and 1 Raven flew over.

15/10/2013 Hatherton Reservoir

c 30 Black-headed Gulls, Wood Pigeon, Coot, Moorhen, Mallard, Teal, Grey Heron, Mute Swan, Great spotted Woodpecker, Crow, Magpie, Great Tit, Blackbird, Robin, Buzzard, Chaffinch, Blue Tit, House Sparrow and the highlight was a small flock of Goldcrests.

07/10/13 Blithfield Reservoir

Curlew Sandpiper, Dunlin, Black-headed Gull, Pied Wagtail, Little Grebe, Coot, Great crested Grebe, Cormorant, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Ringed Plover, Grey Heron, Rook, Lesser black-backed Gull, Goldeneye, Herring Gull, Teal, 1 Pink-footed Goose in amongst the Canada Geese and Greylag Geese, Crow, Buzzard, Kestrel, Raven, Lapwing, Shelduck, Wigeon, Starling, Great Tit, Coal Tit, Blue Tit, Chaffinch, Magpie and Moorhen.

30/09/2013 Blithfield Reservoir

2 Little Stint, Ringed Plover, Dunlin, Coot, Black-headed Gull, Great crested Grebe, Cormorant, Mallard, Wigeon, Canada Geese, Jackdaw, Greylag Geese, Grey Heron, Lapwing, Pied Wagtail, Wood Pigeon, Buzzard, Tufted Duck, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Teal, 2 Pintail, Curlew Sandpiper, Swallow, Linnet, Meadow Pipit, Crow, Rook, Goldfinch, Great Tit and Blue Tit.

27/09/2013 Hatherton Reservoir & Redland

Hatherton Reservoir 
I had a walk around the Raz this afternoon and although it was quiet bird wise I saw 

Magpie, Wood Pigeon, Sparrowhawk, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Chaffinch, Bullfinch, Mallard, Coot, Black-headed Gull, Tufted Duck, Crow, Moorhen, Mute Swan, Buzzard, Long-tailed Tit, Willow Tit, Robin, Great spotted Woodpecker and Blackbird. 

I walked across to the other pool where I saw   

Redland Pool

Coot, Grey Wagtail, Starling, Long-tailed Tit, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Crow, Rook, Jay, Buzzard and 1 Spotted Flycatcher. The Flycatcher was a new species here for me.

23/09/2013 Belvide Reservoir

Belvide
Pheasant, Crow, Wood Pigeon, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Coal Tit, Greenfinch, Robin, Nuthatch, Chaffinch, Tufted Duck, Gadwall, Mute Swan, Coot, Great crested Grebe, Mallard, Cormorant, Grey Heron, Greylag Geese, Canada Geese, Wigeon, Shoveler, Teal, Moorhen, Hobby, Black-tailed Godwit, Pintail, Pochard, Shelduck, Tree Sparrow, Dunnock, Blackbird, Goldfinch, Wren, Swallow, House Martin, Magpie, Crow, Lesser black-backed Gull and Black-headed Gull.

Cannock Chase

Wood Pigeon, Stonechat and Whinchat.

02/09/2013 Chasewater & Blithfield

Chasewater

Lesser black-backed Gull, Great crested Grebe, Coot, Magpie, Mute Swan, Black-headed Gull, Mallard, Canada Geese, Pied Wagtail, Crow, Wood Pigeon and Goldfinch.

Blithfield reservoir

Canada Geese, Greylag Geese, Barnacle Geese, Great crested Grebe, Mallard, Wigeon, Mute Swan, Crow, Lapwing, Common Tern, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Coot, Cormorant, Teal, Jackdaw, Grey Heron, Osprey, Magpie, Reed Bunting, Buzzard, Redshank, Little Egret, Wood Pigeon, House Martin, Greenshank, Ruff, Black-tailed Godwit, Yellow Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, Ringed Plover, Dunlin, Linnet, Swallow and Rook.

01/09/2013 Hatherton Reservoir

Magpie, Wood Pigeon, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Coal Tit, Blackbird, Long-tailed Tit, Robin, Willow Tit, Coot, Moorhen, Mallard, Mute Swan, Black-headed Gull, Tufted Duck, Little Grebe, Grey Heron, Grey Wagtail, Crow and 3 sightings of a Kingfisher.

26/08/2013 Croxall and Blithfield

Croxall

Common Sandpiper, Mute Swan, Coot, Mallard, Great crested Grebe, Teal, Green Sandpiper, 5 Little Egret, Lapwing, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Shoveler, Grey Heron,

Common Tern, Tufted Duck, Canada Geese, Cormorant, Kingfisher, Starling, Goldfinch, House Martin, Magpie, Swallow, Dunnock and Crow.

Blithfield Causeway

Dunlin, Common Tern, Ringed Plover, Pied Wagtail, Buzzard, Black-headed Gull, Great crested Grebe, Mallard, Cormorant, Canada Geese, Tufted Duck, Greylag Geese, Coot, Wood Pigeon, and 1 Osprey fishing.

25/08/2013 Hatherton Reservoir

On a walk around the Raz I saw - Crow, Robin, Long-tailed Tit, Bullfinch, Jay, Great spotted Woodpecker, Blackbird, Wood Pigeon, Magpie, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Coal Tit, Rook, Greenfinch, Grey Heron, Little Grebe, Mallard, Moorhen, Coot and Tufted Duck.

19/08/2013 Middleton Lakes

Little Egret, Grey Heron, 2 Kingfishers, Lapwing, Mallard, Coot, Greenfinch, Chaffinch, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Nuthatch, House Sparrow, Goldfinch, Great Spotted Wood Pecker, Crow, Swallow, Canada Geese, Tufted Duck, Cormorant, Greylag Geese, Shoveler, Black-headed Gull, Kestrel, Mute Swan, Common Tern, Wood Pigeon, Teal, Common Sandpiper, Moorhen, Pochard, House Martin,  Robin, Rook, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Hobby, Spotted Flycatcher and Great White Egret.

12/08/2013 Blithfield Reservoir

Blue Tit, Great Tit, Chaffinch, Swift, House Martin, Great Crested Grebe, Mallard, Coot, Greylag Geese, Canada Geese, Wood Pigeon, Cormorant, Grey Heron, Barnacle Geese, Lesser black-backed Gull, Black-headed Gull, Caspian Gull, Crow, Rook, Herring Gull, Goldeneye, Tufted Duck, Mute Swan, Magpie, Sand Martin, Swallow, Teal, Pochard, Shelduck, Lapwing, Gadwall, Osprey, Buzzard, Great black-backed Gull, Goosander, Wren, 3 Common Sandpiper, then just as we were about to leave for lunch a flock of  Black-tailed Godwits flew in.

10/08/2013 Hatherton Reservoir

Today's bird sightings - Long-tailed Tit, Great Tit, Chaffinch, Magpie, Blackbird, Crow, Blue Tit, Great spotted Woodpecker, Willow Warbler, Mute Swan, Moorhen, Coot, Mallard, Wood Pigeon, Black-headed Gull, Tufted Duck, Reed Warbler, But the highlight of the walk was seeing a Common Sandpiper on the brook, a new record for the patch! I had my camera with me so I tried to get a photo of it. Only a distant shot though!

29/07/2013 Rutland Water

The days birding got off to good start for me with a year tick of a Red Kite, I also saw- Osprey, Little Egret, Coot, Mallard, Black-headed Gull, Lapwing, Great crested Grebe, Green Sandpiper, Mute Swan, Cormorant, Oystercatcher, Tufted Duck, Greylag Geese, Egyptian Geese,  Ruff, Grey Heron, Common Tern, House Martin, Pochard, Moorhen, Canada Geese, Swallow, Ringed Plover, Little Ringed Plover, Dunlin, Herring Gull, Lesser black-backed Gull, Teal, Shoveler, Common Sandpiper, Snipe, Buzzard, Blue Tit, Tree Sparrow, Chaffinch, Pied Wagtail, Wood Pigeon, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Crow and Starling.

22/07/2013 Blithfield Reservoir

Greenshank 3, Common Tern, Black-headed Gull, Greylag Geese, Great-crested Grebe, Coot, Lapwing, Grey Heron, Lesser black-backed Gull, Mallard, Moorhen, Cormorant, Canada Geese, Dunlin, Crow, Mute Swan, Swallow, Chaffinch, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Buzzard, Shelduck 5, Oystercatcher 1, Wood Pigeon, Blackbird, Starling, Goldfinch, Common Sandpiper, Blackcap and Wren.

16/07/2013 Hatherton Reservoir

I went for an early morning walk around the Raz and saw-

Treecreeper, Magpie, Goldfinch, Wood Pigeon, Coot, Mallard, Black-headed Gull, Tufted Duck with ducklings, 2 Common Tern, Reed Warbler, 2 Little Grebe, Moorhen, 2 Grey Heron, Mute Swan, Chiffchaff, Blackbird, Wren, Robin, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Reed Bunting, Pied Wagtail, Crow, Rook, Swallow and House Martin.

15/07/2013 Belvide Reservoir

Great-crested Grebe, Mute Swan, Reed Warbler, Coot, Crow, Gadwall, Canada Geese, Lapwing, Common Tern, Tufted Duck, Mallard, Black-headed Gull, Grey Heron, Egyptian Goose, Wood Pigeon, Chiffchaff, Little ringed Plover, Pied Wagtail, Tree Sparrow, Great Tit, Chaffinch, Blue Tit, Goldfinch, Moorhen, Blackbird, Great spotted Woodpecker, Nuthatch, Coal Tit, Dunnock, Willow Tit, Sparrowhawk, House Martin, Swallow, Rook, Starling and Lesser black-backed Gull.

30/06/2013 Hatherton Reservoir

Starling, Magpie, Chiffchaff, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Coot, Moorhen, Reed Bunting, Mallard, Mute Swan, Reed Warbler, Grey Heron, Tufted Duck, Blackcap, Robin, Wood Pigeon, Blackbird, Great spotted Woodpecker, Crow and Rook.

24/06/2013 Attenborough Nature Reserve Nottingham

Canada Geese, Egyptian Geese, Greylag Geese, Mute Swan, Mallard, Great crested Grebe, Swift, Swallow, Coot, Tufted Duck, Black-headed Gull, Lesser black-backed Gull, Green Sandpiper, Little ringed Plover, Common Tern, Gadwall, Reed Bunting, Pochard, Chaffinch, Red-crested Pochard, Sedge Warbler, Cormorant, Grey Heron, Dunnock, Crow, Wood Pigeon, Common Whitethroat, Teal, Lapwing, Stock Dove, Goldfinch, Sand Martin, House Martin, Moorhen, Greenfinch, Tree Sparrow, Reed Warbler, Oystercatcher, Starling, Magpie, Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit and Cetti's Warbler were heard.

20/06/2013 Blithfield

Goosander, Greylag Geese, Mallard, Common Tern, Little ringed Plover, Mute Swan, Pied Wagtail, Swift, Swallow, Cormorant, Black-headed Gull, Lesser black-backed Gull, Crow, Oystercatcher, Shelduck, Coot, Jackdaw, Great crested Grebe, Rook, Reed Bunting, Magpie, Wood Pigeon, Shoveler, Canada Geese, Gadwall, Grey Heron, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Teal, Barnacle Goose, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Blackbird, Greenfinch, Great spotted Woodpecker, Jay, Robin, Goldfinch, Bullfinch, Pheasant, Black Swans, House Sparrow, House martin, Starling, Kestrel and a brief view of an Osprey as it flew through high over the Causeway.

19/06/2013 Hatherton Reservoir

Great Tit, Chaffinch, Blackbird, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Chiffchaff, Mallard, Reed Bunting, Grey Heron, Moorhen, Mute Swan, Tufted Duck, Coot, Blackcap, Crow, Robin, House Sparrow, Magpie, Wood Pigeon, Blue Tit plus 3 Terrapin!

09/06/2013 Hatherton Reservoir

today it was our work party morning and after it I had a short walk around the site and saw - 

Great Tit, Jay, Blackbird, Robin, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Wren, Wood Pigeon, Reed Warbler, Mallard, Moorhen, Coot, Mute Swan, Tufted Duck, Great-crested Grebe, Common Tern, Grey Heron, House Martin and Magpie.

03/06/2013 out and about in Staffs

Trent Washlands Burton-on Trent

Sand Martin, Swift, House Martin, Wood Pigeon, Mallard, House Sparrows, Mute Swan, Coot, Moorhen, Black-headed Gull, Reed Bunting, Blackbird, Common Whitethroat, Goldfinch and Wren.

Whitemoor Haye

Grey Heron, Mute Swan, Yellowhammer, Common Whitethroat, Crow, Dunnock, Reed Bunting, Kestrel, Gadwall, Canada Geese, Greylag Geese, Lapwing, Swallow, Mallard and Coot.

National Memorial Arboretum

Grey Heron, Pied Wagtail, Chaffinch, Oystercatcher, Sand Martin, Great crested Grebe, Lesser black-backed Gull, Redshank, Common Sandpiper also Sedge Warbler, Reed Warbler and Cuckoo were heard.

Cannock Chase

Wood Warbler and Nuthatch.

29/05/2013 Redland & Hatherton Reservoir

Redland Pool

Song Thrush, Magpie, Blue Tit, Chiffchaff, Great Tit, Goldfinch, Great spotted Woodpecker, Buzzard, Wood Pigeon, Blackbird, Rook, Garden Warbler, Coot, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Grey Heron and Cormorant.

Hatherton Reservoir

Reed Bunting, Reed Warbler, Great Tit, Moorhen, Coot, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Mute Swan, Wood Pigeon, Swift, Chiffchaff, Blackbird, Robin, Coal Tit, Great spotted Woodpecker, Blue Tit, Magpie and Crow.

27/05/2013 Around Staffs

Croxall

Great crested Grebe, Canada Geese, Kestrel, Gadwall, Mute Swan, Oystercatcher, Shoveler, Tufted Duck, Mallard, Lapwing, Black-headed Gull, Common Tern, Shelduck, Rook, Wood Pigeon, Pied Wagtail, Buzzard, Sand Martin, Sedge Warbler, Reed Bunting, Swift, Cormorant, Crow, Magpie and Swallow.

Whitemoor Haye

Redshank, Lapwing, Oystercatcher, Mute Swan, Canada Geese, Crow, Wood Pigeon and Chaffinch.

Blithfield Reservoir Causeway

Greylag Geese, Great crested Grebe, Swift, Swallow, Common Tern, Little Tern and Sanderling. 

18/05/2013 Hatherton Reservoir

At last I managed to get a walk around the Raz in,  and saw- 

Great Tit, Blue Tit, Starling, Wood Pigeon, Magpie, Robin, Blackbird, Long-tailed Tit, Bullfinch, Willow Warbler, Garden Warbler, Sparrowhawk, Moorhen, Great spotted Woodpecker, Chiffchaff, Grey Heron, Canada Geese, Mallard, Coot, Tufted Duck, Blackbird, Great crested Grebe, Mute Swan, Wren, Chaffinch, Crow. Song Thrush and Black-headed Gull.

19/04/2013 Hatherton Reservoir

An afternoons walk around the Raz produced -

2 male Reed Bunting, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Chaffinch, Chiffchaff, Robin, Dunnock, Wood Pigeon, Sparrowhawk, Mallard, Grey Wagtail, 2 Grey Heron, Coot, Mute Swan, Tufted Duck, Moorhen, Great-crested Grebe, Little Grebe, Canada Geese, Crow, Blackbird and Song Thrush.

18/04/2013 Blithfield Reservoir and Cannock Chase

Blithfield Reservoir

Sand Martin, House Martin, Swallow, Common Tern, Arctic Tern, Little Ringed Plover, Lesser black-backed Gull, Goldeneye, Buzzard, Crow, Pied Wagtail, Cormorant, Greylag Geese, Whooper Swan, Black Swan, Mute Swan, Wheatear, Yellow Wagtail, Great-crested Grebe, Coot, Mallard, Canada Geese, Oystercatcher, Wigeon, Teal, Common Sandpiper, Shoveler, Black-headed Gull, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Chaffinch, Magpie, Moorhen, Pheasant, Wood Pigeon, Jackdaw, Kestrel, Robin and Dunnock. 

After lunch we headed over to the chase in search of the Hawfinch.

Cannock Chase

Yellowhammer, Bullfinch, Chaffinch, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Robin, Crow, Jackdaw, Magpie, Buzzard, Kestrel, Coal Tit, Dunnock, Mallard, Blackbird1 and 1 Hawfinch.

05/04/2013 Hatherton Reservoir

On a walk around the Reservoir this afternoon I saw - Bullfinch, Goldfinch, Long-tailed Tit, Great Tit, Great spotted Woodpecker, Green Woodpecker, Robin, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Dunnock, Greenfinch, Magpie, Crow, Blue Tit, Chaffinch, Goldcrest, Siskin, Starling, Buzzard, Rook, Wood Pigeon, Canada Geese, Mute Swan, Coot, Moorhen, Tufted Duck, Mallard, Teal, Little Grebe, Great crested Grebe, Grey Heron, Black-headed Gull, and Lesser black-backed Gull.

30/03/2013 Hatherton Reservoir

House Sparrow, Blackbird, Great Tit, Chaffinch, Blue Tit, Robin, Long-tailed Tit, Wood Pigeon, Greenfinch, Green Woodpecker, Nuthatch, Pied Wagtail, Magpie, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Great crested Grebe, 4 Teal, Mallard, Coot, Moorhen, Mute Swan, Tufted Duck, 2 Little Grebe, 2 Canada Geese, 2 Buzzard, Crow, Rook, 2 Reed Bunting, Black-headed Gull and 1 Sparrowhawk.

25/03/2013 Hatherton Reservoir & Redland Pool

Due to the weather I had decided to stay local for my Mondays birding, so I went for another walk around the Raz also I had a walk around Redland  Pool.

Hatherton

Blue Tit, Great Tit, Coal Tit, Blackbird, Wood Pigeon, Long-tailed Tit, 6 Redwing, Crow,  Rook, Sparrowhawk, Great-spotted Woodpecker, Wren, Magpie, Coot. Moorhen, Mute Swan, Mallard, Grey Heron, Great crested Grebe, Tufted Duck, Black-headed Gull, Lesser black-backed Gull, and a Cormorant flew over.  

 

I spotted this at Hatherton.

 

 Redland Pool 

Tufted Duck, Coot, Blackbird, 2 Buzzard, Wood Pigeon, Long-tailed Tit, Mallard, Moorhen, Starling, Robin and 2 Fieldfare.

24/03/2013 Hatherton Reservoir. A Spring!!! walk

Despite the weather I wanted to get out for a walk, so I headed for the Raz and I saw-

Great-crested Grebe, Mute Swan, Canada Geese, Tufted Duck, Mallard, Teal, Coot, Moorhen, Lesser black backed-Gull, Black-headed Gull, Dunnock, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Blackbird, Long-tailed Tit, Robin, Coal tit, Great spotted Woodpecker, Wood Pigeon, Crow, Magpie, Jay and I heard a Green Woodpecker. 

Hatherton Reservoir

17/03/2013

Great Tit, Blue Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Robin, Blackbird, Buzzard, Chaffinch, Wood Pigeon, Mallard, Mute Swan, Coot, Moorhen, Tufted Duck, Little Grebe, 2 Canada Geese, Dunnock, Black-headed Gull, Crow and Magpie.

21/03/2013

Great Tit, Blue Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Blackbird, Chaffinch, Wood Pigeon, Mute Swan, Tufted Duck, 2 Canada Geese, Mallard, Coot, Moorhen, Buzzard, Black-headed Gull, Great crested Grebe, Robin, Magpie, Crow and Little Grebe.

18/03/2013 Belvide Reservoir

Song Thrush, Goldcrest, Fieldfare, Great Tit, Yellowhammer, Blue Tit, Robin, Long-tailed Tit, Goldfinch, Chaffinch, Dunnock, Buzzard, Wood Pigeon, Pheasant, Crow,  Rook, Tree Sparrow, Blackbird, Starling, Nuthatch, Brambling, Redwing, Jay, Treecreeper, Bullfinch, Reed Bunting, Mallard, Coot, Tufted Duck, Goldeneye, Great-crested Grebe, Snipe, Moorhen, Mute Swan, Wigeon, Lesser black-backed Gull, Teal, Canada Geese, Greylag Geese, Oystercatcher, Redshank, Lapwing, Curlew, Shoveler, Shelduck, Grey Heron and Cormorant.

16/03/2013 Hatherton Reservoir

On my walk this afternoon I saw - Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Blackbird, Wood Pigeon, Chaffinch, Robin, Green Woodpecker, Crow, Magpie, Dunnock, Wren, 2 Canada Geese, Mallard, Moorhen, Mute Swan, Black-headed Gulls, Coot, Tufted Duck and 3 Buzzards.

09/03/2013 Hatherton Reservoir

Today's sightings - Great Tit, Blue Tit, Robin, Blackbird, 2 Siskin, Magpie, Wood Pigeon, Great spotted Woodpecker, Long-tailed Tit, Sparrowhawk, Chaffinch, Dunnock, House Sparrow, Goldfinch, Black-headed Gull, Mallard, 2 Little Grebe, Coot, Moorhen, Mute Swan, Tufted Duck, 2 Canada Geese and a Cormorant flew over.

Hatherton Reservoir 2012 Year List

Little Grebe, Great-crested Grebe, Cormorant, Grey Heron, Mute Swan, CanadaGoose, Wigeon,Teal, Mallard ,Tufted Duck, Goosander, Sparrowhawk, Buzzard, Kestrel, Pheasant, Moorhen,Coot, Oystercatcher, Woodcock, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Common Tern, Stock Dove, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, Swift, Kingfisher, Green Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker,Swallow, House Martin, Grey Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Fieldfare, Song Thrush, Redwing, Mistle Thrush,Reed Warbler ,Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Goldcrest, Long-tailed Tit, Willow Tit, Coal Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Nuthatch,Treecreeper, Jay, Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Raven, Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Greenfinch,Goldfinch, Siskin, Linnet, Redpoll, Bullfinch, Yellowhammer, Reed Bunting.

21/02/2013 Hatherton Reservoir

On a quick walk around the Raz today I saw - Robin, Dunnock, Great Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Blackbird, Buzzard, Coal Tit, Mute Swan, Mallard, Coot, Moorhen, Tufted Duck, Little Grebe, Magpie, Wood Pigeon, Black-headed Gull, Bullfinch, Blue Tit and 2 Teal.

18/02/2013 The days birding

Lea Marston Pool

Grey Wagtail, Chaffinch, Long-tailed Tit, Little Grebe, Black-headed Gull, Blackbird, Tufted Duck, Coot, Mallard, Pochard, Gadwall, Wood Pigeon, Mute Swan, Dunnock, Great crested Grebe, Grey Heron, Goldeneye, Blue Tit also Great spotted Woodpecker and Cetti's warbler were heard.

Hams Hall

Chiffchaff, Peregrine Falcon, Buzzard, Crow, Pied Wagtail, Grey Wagtail, Goldcrest, Blackbird, Mallard, Great Tit and Blue Tit.

Ladywalk

Redpoll, Blue Tit, Goldfinch, Reed Bunting, Robin, Blackbird, Goldcrest, Moorhen, Mallard, Teal, Jackdaw, Grey Wagtail, Cormorant, Coot, Goosander, Shoveler, Lapwing, Wigeon, Grey Heron, Shelduck, Tufted Duck, Canada Geese, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Stock Dove, Dunnock, Chaffinch, Magpie, Bullfinch, Water Rail, Siskin, Little Egret, Great spotted Woodpecker and Coal Tit.

14/02/2013 & 16/02/2013 Hatherton

14/02/13

 I had just begun my walk when a Sparrowhawk landed just behind me on the path with a Blackbird in it's grasp, what a day to forget my camera!! After a bit of muttering under my breath I continued my walk and saw - 2 Sparrowhawks, Blackbird, Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Robin, Magpie, Wood Pigeon, Black-headed Gull, Jay, Mute Swan, Coot, Tufted Duck, Moorhen and Mallard.

16/02/2013

Great Tit, Blue Tit, Blackbird, Chaffinch, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Coot, Moorhen, Mute Swan, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Robin, Wood Pigeon, Little Grebe, Magpie, Rook, Greenfinch, Feildfare and Long-tailed Tit. 

I have counted the bird species seen by me or reported to me at Hatherton Reservoir last year (2012) and the total was 72. 

11/02/2013 Essington Waxwings

As there were reports of a flock of Waxwings not far from home and it had stopped snowing I went over to have a look. When I arrived there was no sign of them but I did see Starling, Sparrowhawk, Greenfinch, Black-headed Gull, Wood Pigeon, Magpie and then the Waxwing flock returned.  Which made the standing around in the freezing cold was worth it.
 

08/02/2013 Hatherton Reservoir

An afternoons walk around the Reservoir today produced the following birds - Great Tit, Blue Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Blackbird, Reed Bunting, Willow Tit, Chaffinch, Robin, Coal Tit, Treecreeper, Bullfinch,Buzzard, Magpie, Jay, Wood Pigeon, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Coot, Moorhen, Mute Swan, Black-headed Gull and 2 Little Grebes.

04/02/2013 Belvide Reservoir and Cannock Chase

Belvide

Blackbird, Greenfinch, Redwing, Song Thrush, Goldfinch, Chaffinch, Tree Sparrow, Robin, Great Tit, Willow Tit, Nuthatch, Moorhen, Dunnock, Wren, Brambling, Long-tailed Tit, Coot, Goldeneye, Pochard, Great crested Grebe, Tufted Duck, Mallard, Black-headed Gull, Raven, Crow, Cormorant, Rook, Wood Pigeon, Reed Bunting, Coal Tit, Canada Geese, Wigeon, Grey Heron, Great spotted Woodpecker, Mistle Thrush, Herring Gull, Teal, Little Owl, Greylag Geese, Shoveler, Gadwall, Lapwing, Lesser black-backed Gull, Peregrine Falcon, Buzzard, Pheasant, Bullfinch, Blue Tit and Magpie. 

 

Cannock Chase

Kestrel, Magpie, Chaffinch, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Coal Tit, Robin, Jackdaw, Long-tailed Tit, Blackbird, Yellowhammer, Nuthatch, Wood Pigeon, Willow Tit and Rook.

03/02/2013 Hatherton Reservoir

On a walk around the Raz this morning I saw - Great spotted Woodpecker, Blackbird, Robin, Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Buzzard, Bullfinch, Wren, Mute Swan, Tufted Duck, Mallard, Coot, Moorhen, Black-headed Gull, 2 male Goosanders, Magpie, Wood Pigeon, Little Grebe, Willow Tit and a flock of c20 Siskins.

02/02/2013 Hatherton Reservoir

I went for a walk around the Raz yesterday afternoon and again this morning. this is what I saw.

Yesterday 

Redwing, Wood Pigeon, Magpie, Greenfinch, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Robin, Blackbird, Wren, House Sparrow, Mute Swan, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Coot, Moorhen, Black-headed Gull, Little Grebe, Long-tailed Tit, Chaffinch, Song Thrush, and Grey Heron.

Today

Blackbird, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Buzzard, Jay, Black-headed Gull, Coal Tit, Chaffinch, Mute Swan, Tufted Duck, Coot, Moorhen, Mallard, 2 Little Grebe, Magpie and Wood Pigeon.

12/01/2013 Hatherton Reservoir

On a walk around the Raz today I saw - Blue Tit, Great Tit, Blackbird, Great spotted Woodpecker, Wood Pigeon, Robin, Long-tailed Tit, Mute Swan, Mallard, Coot, Moorhen, Black-headed Gull, Tufted Duck, Reed Bunting, Chaffinch, Bullfinch, House Sparrow, Magpie I also heard a Green Woodpecker.  I managed to get a reasonable shot of one of the Robins. 

09/01/2013 Belvide Reservoir

Blue Tit, Great Tit, Robin, Greenfinch, Chaffinch, Dunnock, Tree Sparrow, Nuthatch, Wood Pigeon, Brambling, Pheasant, Blackbird, Jay, Lesser black-backed Gull, Coot, Great crested Grebe, Mute Swan, Mallard, Goldeneye, Canada Geese, Greylag Geese, Tufted Duck, Lapwing, Wren, Kingfisher, Grey Heron, Wigeon, Moorhen, Reed Bunting, Crow, Willow Tit, Gadwall, Teal, Long-tailed Tit, Black-headed Gull, Pochard, Herring Gull, Song Thrush, Redwing, Rook and I also heard a Water Rail.

06/01/2013 Hatherton and Redland

Another mild day so I had a walk around the Raz in the hope of adding some birds to my 2013 list. I saw -

Blackbird, Crow, Wood Pigeon, Great Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Robin, Mallard, Moorhen, Coot, Mute Swan, Grey Heron, Tufted Duck, Black-headed Gull, Magpie, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, nothing new yet but a walk over on Redland Pool  produced Buzzard and a Kingfisher the latter new for 2013 and walking back via the Raz Song Thrush and Redpoll. were two more to add.

05/01/2013 Cannock Chase and Blithfield

 As it was a nice day my mate and I went birding, our first stop was at Upper Longdon where we saw - a Raven and the Great grey Shrike.

Then it was on to Blithfield where we saw -

Blue Tit, Great Tit, Robin, Long-tailed Tit, Nuthatch, Chaffinch, Jackdaw, Pheasant, Crow, Tufted Duck, Great-crested Grebe, Wigeon, Mallard, Goldeneye, 1 Pintail, Coot, Moorhen, Lapwing, Pochard, Shoveler, Grey Heron, Buzzard, Teal, Goldfinch, Grey Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, Cormorant, Canada Geese, Greylag Geese, Mute Swan, Raven, Wood Pigeon, Magpie also a Tawny Owl was calling.

On the way home we made a short stop at  Cannock Chase and saw - Chaffinch, Coal Tit, Jackdaw, Blue Tit, Yellowhammer, Bullfinch, Treecreeper, Robin, Magpie, Dunnock, Greenfinch and Blackbird.

01/01/2013 Hatherton Reservoir

At last a dry sunny day!! so I went for a walk around the Raz and saw - Blue Tit, Great Tit, Blackbird, Robin, Chaffinch, Long-tailed Tit, Green Woodpecker, Wood Pigeon, Bullfinch, Collared Dove, Crow, Rook, Magpie, 100+Black-headed Gulls, Coot, Moorhen, Mallard, Grey Heron, Tufted Duck, Mute Swan and Little Grebe.

01/01/2013 Happy New Year

Wishing you all a very Happy New Year with good friends, good times and good birds.