Of course anyone stubbling across this blog may wonder what the hell I am on about. Firstly WMBC is of course the West Midlands Bird Club, the keeper of the birding records of four landlocked counties in central England, West Midlands, Staffordshire, Worcestershire and Warwickshire.
Doing a regional year list encompassing these four counties certainly does have it's moments, but also as it's frustations. This year in particular I have seen five regional lifers, all of which would look good on even the most ardent of national twitchers list. Being out in the field more as rewarded me with a few good regional finds, pick of the bunch was the five Whiskered Terns that graced Croxall Pools in Staffordshire. On a negative note patch working took a back seat and I found myself in the car at times for a good proportion of the birding day, changing locations frequently, some of which were a hour and half apart.
I can't say it's an experience that I would recommend to you, travelling to Draycote for a Red-crested Pochard sums up the stupidity of regional listing, I suppose, but on the other hand not sitting around for pager updates (something I never do by the way) before leaving for a bird was generally very exciting and on numerous occasions was the first person on the scene.
Of course then there are the dips, a reported Golden Oriole and a mis-identified Purple Heron springs to mind, but at least they got relayed onto the paging systems unlike some that will turn up in the 2009 report I presume.
Supression has reared it's ugly head again and as definatley cost me another two wader species, coupled with some bad misses, notably Kittiwake, Red-breasted Merganser, Red Kite, Sandwich Tern and Purple Sandpiper, means I technically I could have come even closer to the record. The key months of October and Novemeber were a severe problem because of the dark nights. I still not sure where I stand on supression, my finds will always go out, but I will and do respect other peoples decisions when it comes down to access or the sensitive nature of the record, but I do feel there are a growing group of birders that do not want the major disturbance of a "twitch" on their patch.
The record stands at a 222, I have finished the year on 215.
I will not really know until the WMBC 2009 Report is available has to how good that total that is, compared to total number of species seen throughout the year in the region.
The following is an editted version of my blog notes throughout 2009.
Special thanks goes everyone that called me during the year to tell me of birds on their patch, you all know who you are. Keep it up, I might just do it again in 2010.
JANUARY
With new year day falling neatly on a Thursday there was a nice block of four days to get my regional list off to a good start.
1st : Key species were Common (Mealy) Redpoll at Belvide, 80 Waxwing near Chasewater, finding 3 Bewick Swan at Whitemoor Haye, many Corn Bunting and a bonus first day Ruff close by.
2nd : There are not many years that Draycote Water does not feature, this year was no exeption and produced five key species today in the form of 3 Great Northern Divers, an immature Red-necked Grebe, a drake Smew, an immature Shag and a bonus Red-throated Diver all seen off Farnborough Bank. I also popped into an area near Ladywalk and ticked off a wintering Chiffchaff. The Iceland Gull did not show at the Coton gull roost, but managed to see 3 wintering Little Egrets.
10th : Having spent the 3/4th in Cornwall I had a little catching up to do. I finally caught up with the two wintering Whooper Swans at Whitemoor Haye at 7.45am before moving onto Cannock Chase to see the wintering Hawfinch at the make shift feeding station at Coppice Hill. Four Bramblings were on the feeders at the visitors centre. A dash to Doxey Marshes produced 32 Eurasian Whitefronts and I finished off with Short-eared Owl and 2 Yellow-legged Gull at Chasewater.
11th : Upton Warren produced the wintering Bittern stood on ice, Grimley produced my first dip of the year, the Water Pipit did not show and Drayton Bassett gave me another key species in the form of a single Pink-footed Goose and my first Dunlin of the year.
17th : The Water Pipit eluded me again at Grimley New Workings.
18th : Third dip at Uttoxeter Gravel Pit, the Brent Goose had gone. Dropped onto 2 Long-eared Owls at Park Hall and 2 male Hen Harriers at Swallow Moss during the afternoon.
24th : First try for Caspian Gull at Stubbers Green ended in failure
. Key species today were Crossbill on Cannock Chase and finding a drake Greater Scaup at Whitemoor Haye along with 3 Grey Partridge. 1st winter Iceland Gull in the Chasewater gull roost.
25th : Key species today were Firecrest at Eddison Road near Ladywalk whilst waiting for news on yesterdays reported Great White Egret in the Drayton Bassett area. Went anyway and managed crippling flight views over Fishers Mill, were was everybody else looking, got the news out and luckily everyone that wanted it saw it today. Rushed over to Doxey for Water Pipit and finished off at Copmere for a roosting 1st winter Glaucous Gull.
31st : Key species in Worcestershire today included Dipper, Tawny Owl and Mandarin in the Wyre Forest
.
FEBRUARY
1st : The 1st winter Iceland Gull came into Stubbers Green giving stonking views. Second dodgy plastic tick with Egyptian Goose at Catholme and back to Stubbers Green for Caspian Gull.
7th : Key species Merlin appeared at Whitemoor Haye and stopped long enough for a photo, First Oystercatchers here today.
15th : News broke to the fortunate few regarding two Long-eared Owls near Rushall.
22nd : Key species today included a Black Redstart on Gorsey Lane, Coleshill. A 1st winter Iceland Gull flew over Dosthill and 5 Woodlarks seen in Staffordshire today.
28th : Key species were
3 genuine Barnacle Geese ringed from the Svalbard breeding flock at Whitemoor Haye. 11 Pink-footed Geese, the first Ringed Plover of the year. 2 adult Meditterranean Gulls in the Trent Valley.
Also saw one of these.
MARCH
1st : Key species today included a wintering Jack Snipe at Barrow Hill in the West Midlands, Avocet at Upton Warren and a female Lesser-spotted Woodpecker at Old Yarr near Redditch.
7th : Key species were a single drake Common Scoter and two summer plumaged Mediterranean Gull at Blithfield Reservior.
8th : Was getting deperate for Peregrine, typically saw two, one in Walsall town centre and one at Blithfield. Caught up with 4 Greater Scaup at the latter location.
14th : First Sand Martins of the year at Sandwell Valley this morning along with first singing Chiffchaff. Tawny Owl in Wyre Forest.
15th : Key species today was two Ringed-necked Parakeet at Sandwell Valley, Avocet at Branston Gravel Pit, my first Northern Wheatear of the year at Whitemoor Haye and a Short-eared Owl at Drayton Bassett.
22nd : First Swallow of the year at Coton, first Little Ringed Plover at Kingsbury WP and another Black Redstart near Ladywalk.
23rd : Key species today included Cetti's Warbler at Upton Warren and 2 adult Black-necked Grebe at Belvide Reservoir.
26th : Dipped Twite at Grimley New Workings, Worcestershire.
29th : Key bird was seeing the re-located Twite at Grimley Old Workings. First Blackcaps seen in the Tame Valley.
30th : Found Ring Ouzel on Walton Hill, Worcestershire. It didn't hang about.
APRIL
A busy month in a year listers calendar, coupled with being able to bird on an evening, this is an important month for migrants.
1st : Key species, Cattle Egret at Middleton Hall. A regional mega.
4th : A key species in the form of a drake Green-winged Teal was seen at Draycote Water along with my first Yellow Wagtails of the year. the Red-necked Grebe was in virtual summer plumage. My first Red-legged Partridge and Black-tailed Godwit were seen at Drayton Bassett.
5th : First Willow Warbler seen on Cannock Chase, still Crossbills around by the Cadet Huts.
10th : Key species, found a Little Gull at Sheepwash in light southerlies and spitting rain. First Common Tern and Common Sandpiper seen at Blithfield Reservoir.
11th : Key species came in the form of 2 Grasshopper Warblers at Cuckoo bank, Staffordshire, found an adult summer Little Gull and a pair of Garganey at Blithfield Reservoir and manged to see 3 newly arrived Arctic Terns down the deeps and saw my first House Martin of the year.
12th : First Common Whitethroat of the year at Drayton Bassett and 3 summer plumaged Golden Plover at Whitemoor Haye.
14th : Dipped Male Harrier at Belvide by 30 minutes, first Sedge Warbler of the year.
18th : Key species, Black Tern at Blithfield Reservoir along with 4 Common and 3 Arctic's. First Lesser Whitethroat of the year at Drayton Bassett.
19th : Key species today included Red Grouse, Common Redstart and my second Ring Ouzel of the year on the North Staffordshire Moors.
22nd : A lucky "grab back" this evening with an ultra key species Brent Goose that spent the day on Holt Prairies in Worcestershire.
24th : Two key species this evening in the form of a Little Tern at Belvide and 2 Bar-tailed Godwits at Essington Quarry Pool. Thanks to Gareth Clements and Steve Nutall for the information on that those.
25th : Key species included 2 Whimbrel, my first Common Swift and a pair of Garganey at Blithfield Reservoir. 15 Arctic Tern dropped in briefly during rain shower. A single Turnstone was present along the A38 pits and a White Wagtail was also seen. Left the bird club area to see the amazing flock of Whiskered Terns in Derbyshire.
26th : Big day with year ticks in the form of Cuckoo and Tree Pipit on Cannock Chase along with an Osprey at Blithfield Reservoir. Things got better with a last ditch look at Croxall Pools when I found 5 Whiskered Terns, the largest flock ever to grace Staffordshire, BINGO.
MAY
May is the rarity month, anything can happen, sometimes it does.
2nd : Key species today included Pied Flycatcher, Wood Warblers and a Hobby on our bloogers day out in north Staffordshire.
3rd : Key species Nightingale seen in Worcestershire.
5th : First Greenshank of the year was seen at Drayton Bassett, 6 Whimbrel dropped in and I saw my first Garden Warbler of the year.
9th : Pre-bloggers meet dash to Chasewater to see Sanderling at 5.15am. Bloggers meet in Tame Vally produced my first Reed Warbler of the year.
10th : Whichat was a year tick today, one at Whitemoor Haye and another on Cannock Chase whilst looking for a reported Grey Grey Shrike.
13th : Key species in the form of a Spoonbill was Alvecote, I moved to Drayton Bassett where it decided to follow me and land on the north pits. Also 3 Grey Plover was a year tick. 3 Sanderling, 1 Avocet and Turnstone were nice supporting notebook fillers.
14th : An evening visit to Chasewater for a key species in the form of a Little Stint. Another Grey Plover was present.
15th : Went to twitch key species this evening, Wood Sandpiper at Grimley New Workings, suprised to find another bird with it.
21st : Nightjar and Woodcock see on Cannock Chase late evening.
28th : Saw me scampering to Whittington Heath Golf Course, Staffordshire to look for reported singing Golden Oriole. Nobody else present, needless to say nothing was seen.
29th : Surprise key bird, Woodchat Shrike at Brandon Marsh this evening. Not the most photogenic. My second in the region.
JUNE
Don't relax, it's not all over, June can produce the Blockbuster.
1st : My first failed attempt at Quail in Worcestershire.
4th : Another key species in the form of an adult Curlew Sandpiper at Upton Warren.
5th : News of a Purple Heron broke at a small fishing pool close to Penkridge in Staffoirdshire. I had already got there when a photo appeared on a forum of a dark immature type Grey Heron.
7th : Second failed attempt at Quail, when I recieved inside information of a bird at Essington Quarry Pool. Saved the day with another key species in the form of a Spotted Redshank in summer plumage at Belvide Reservoir. Checked out Aqualate, supressed Marsh Harrier, apparently was there last Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Thursday.
10th : Another evening trip to Aqualate this time saw another key bird, Turtle Dove, close to the hide.
13th : Third failed attempt at Quail, this time two calling birds the day before at Tatenhill Lane, Branston. However did see an out of place calling Marsh Tit. Blithfield Reservoir produced a year tick in the form of a Spotted Flycatcher. Checked out High Offley for Quail.
22nd : Fourth failed attempt at Quail, 2 singing birds within 5mtrs, did not show to assembled crowd at Berry Hill, Staffordshire.
JULY
Early month is unpredictable, relax at your peril.
5th : Twitched Red-crested Pochard (bloody hell, what was I thinking) at Draycote Water.
8th : Six attempt at Quail, bingo one flew from the corner of the field I was standing in, much to the surprise of Hughie King that was stood next to me at the junction of Chasepool/Whitehouse Road, Swindon, Staffordshire. Late comers only heard it from the middle of the field.
11th : Found 5 Common Scoter at Blithfield Reservoir.
18th : Dipped a Red-breasted Merganser that was found last night at Uttoxter Gravel Pit.
21st : Managed to see the adult Pomarine Skua at Bartley Reservoir, a regional lifer.
AUGUST
Return passage of waders well underway.
2nd : Managed to see another Quail today in Worcestershire with the Brightsiders, along with another Red-crested Pochard.
3rd : Missed another Marsh Harrier by an hour this evening at Ladywalk. Black-tailed Godwith flew through.
8th : A major key bird today, found an immature Marsh Harrier at Blithfield Reservoir, where it was duly mobbed by an Osprey. Trevor Hardiman's who was stood next to me at the time was his second sighting this week.
9th : Searched for two Red Kites in Staffordsire today that were seen by a local farmer on his land. 4 Little Egrets dropped into Blithfield Reservoir, whilst the Osprey showed again.
11th : An evening visit to Uttoxeter in search of Barn Owl. Negative on the Owl but did find a Garganey.
16th : In the hide at Upton Warren pre-dawn to no avail, yesterday afternoons Spotted Crake did not show.
21st : Pre-work unexpected regional mega, Sabines Gull at first light this morning at Upton Warren.
22nd : Ringed-necked Duck at Wesport lake, Staffordshire, a key species.
23rd : More Red Kite hunting, following reports on Cannock Chase just lately. Stonking views of Osprey at Blithfield Reservoir.
26th : A welcome year tick in the form of a Knot at Blithfield Reservoir and a female type Mandarin after I had spent my last of the nine hours I have tried to see a Spotted Crake in the marsh at Sandwell Valley.
SEPTEMBER
3rd : Back to Upton Warren to have another look at this long staying Sabine's Gull. An immature Black Tern also roosted.
4th : Big key species, Manx Shearwater at Draycote Water, now this really was a dash, but was rewarded with good views.
11th : Blithfield Reservoir produced a Slavonian Grebe today, manged to find a 1st winter Mediterrannean Gull too.
12th : Regional lifer, an mmature Rose-coloured Starling in the village of Tittensor in Staffordshire.
20th : Straight off the plane from Portugal to Draycote Water to see the first of two key species. Pectoral Sandpiper gave excellent views here. A long trek north saw me at Belvide early evening to see the Ferruginous Duck. Two Little Stints were also in front of the hide.
26th : Regional listing at it's best. Snow Bunting on North Hill Malvern Hills to Spotted Crake at Ladywalk.
23rd : Regional lifer and an out and out national rarity in the form of an Aquatic Warbler at Salford Priors Gravel Pit in Warwickshire.
OCTOBER
3rd : Lesser Scaup at Draycote water, excellent views of this non guaranteed vagrant. 2 Pectoral Sandpipers at Blithfield Reservoir.
17th : Been here before. Off the plane from Potugal towards the Black-throated Diver at Chasewater, diverted to Drayton Bassett for a regional tick, Glossy Ibis, seen in both Staffordshire and Warwickshire. Had enough time to back track for the diver prior to dusk. Also scored with 2 Rock Pipit here.
18th : Dipped a Red-breasted Merganser at the private site Westwood Pool, however scored with a fly-over Crossbill.
25th : A better view of the re-located Black-throated Diver this evening at Branston Gravel Pit. Year ticked key species Barn Owl too.
NOVEMBER
A very important month for the regional lister, good birds do normally turn up.
1st : Straight off with 2 Bewick Swans at Blithfield Reservoir.
7th : Dipped Purple Sandpiper at Draycote Water, spent rest of day checking Warwickshire/Leicestershire border for Red Kite.
Red-breasted Merganser and Kittiwake both through Belvide during the working week.
8th : A nice adult Long-tailed Duck spent the day off Beechtree point, Blithfield Reservoir,. A key bird in regional listing. A 1st winter drake Greater Scaup was also new in.
15th : 1st winter drake Greater Scaup at Blithfield Reservoir looks settled.
5th : Adult Whopper Swan in Tad Bay, Blithfield Reservoir.
1. Mute Swan
2. Bewick's Swan
3. Whooper Swan
4. Pink-footed Goose
5. White-fronted Goose
6. Greylag Goose
7. Canada Goose
8. Barnacle Goose
9. Brent Goose
10. Egyptian Goose
11. Shelduck
12. Mandarin
13. Eurasian Wigeon
14. Gadwall
15. Common Teal
16. Green-winged Teal
17. Mallard
18. Pintail
19. Garganey
20. Shoveler
21. Red-crested Pochard
22. Pochard
23. Ring-necked Duck
24. Ferruginous Duck
25. Tufted Duck
26. Greater Scaup
27. Lesser Scaup
28. Long-tailed Duck
29. Common Scoter
30. Goldeneye
31. Smew
32. Goosander
33. Ruddy Duck
34. Red Grouse
35. Red-legged Partridge
36 .Grey Partridge
37. Quail
38. Pheasant
39. Red-throated Diver
40. Black-throated Diver
41. Great Northern Diver
42. Little Grebe
43. Great Crested Grebe
44. Red-necked Grebe
45. Slavonian Grebe
46. Black-necked Grebe
47. Manx Shearwaer
48. Cormorant
49. Shag
50. Bittern
51. Cattle Egret
52. Little Egret
53. Great White Egret
54. Grey Heron
55. Glossy Ibis
56. Spoonbill
57. Marsh Harrier
58. Hen Harrier
59. Goshawk
60. Sparrowhawk
61. Common Buzzard
62. Osprey
63. Kestrel
64. Merlin
65. Hobby
66. Peregrine
67. Water Rail
68. Spotted Crake
69. Moorhen
70. Coot
71. Oystercatcher
72. Avocet
73. Little Ringed Plover
74. Ringed Plover
75. Golden Plover
76. Grey Plover
77. Lapwing
78. Knot
79. Sanderling
80. Little Stint
81. Pectoral Sandpiper
82. Curlew Sandpiper
83. Dunlin
84. Ruff
85. Jack Snipe
86. Common Snipe
87. Woodcock
88. Black-tailed Godwit
89. Bar-tailed Godwit
90. Whimbrel
91. Curlew
92. Spotted Redshank
93. Redshank
94. Greenshank
95. Green Sandpiper
96. Wood Sandpiper
97. Common Sandpiper
98. Turnstone
99. Red-necked Phalarope
100. Pomarine Skua
101. Mediterranean Gull
102. Little Gull
103. Sabine's Gull
104. Black-headed Gull
105. Common Gull
106. Lesser Black-backed Gull
107. Caspian Gull
108. Yellow-legged Gull
109. Herring Gull
110. Iceland Gull
111. Glaucous Gull
112. Great Black-backed Gull
113. Little Tern
114. Whiskered Tern
115. Black Tern
116. Common Tern
117. Arctic Tern
118. Stock Dove
119. Woodpigeon
120. Collared Dove
121. Turtle Dove
122. Ring-necked Parakeet
123. Cuckoo
124. Barn Owl
125. Little Owl
126. Tawny Owl
127. Long-eared Owl
128. Short-eared Owl
129. Nightjar
130. Common Swift
131. Kingfisher
132. Green Woodpecker
133. Great Spotted Woodpecker
134. Lesser Spotted Woodpecker
135. Woodlark
136. Skylark
137. Sand Martin
138. Swallow
139. House Martin
140. Tree Pipit
141. Meadow Pipit
142. Rock Pipit
143. Water Pipit
144. Yellow Wagtail
145. Grey Wagtail
146. Pied Wagtail
147. Waxwing
148. Dipper
149. Wren
150. Dunnock
151. Robin
152. Nightingale
153. Black Redstart
154. Redstart
155. Whinchat
156. Stonechat
157. Northern Wheatearr
158. Ring Ouzel
129. Blackbird
160. Fieldfare
161. Song Thrush
162. Redwing
163. Mistle Thrush
164. Cetti's Warbler
165. Grasshopper Warbler
166. Aquatic Warbler
167. Sedge Warbler
168. Reed Warbler
169. Blackcap
170. Garden Warbler
171. Lesser Whitethroat
172. Whitethroat
173. Dartford Warbler
174. Wood Warbler
175. Chiffchaff
176. Willow Warbler
177. Goldcrest
178. Firecrest
179. Spotted Flycatcher
180. Pied Flycatcher
181. Long-tailed Tit
182. Blue Tit
183. Great Tit
184. Coal Tit
185. Willow Tit
186. Marsh Tit
187. Nuthatch
188. Treecreeper
189. Woodchat Shrike
190. Jay
191. Magpie
192. Jackdaw
193. Rook
194. Carrion Crow
195. Raven
196. Starling
197. Rose-coloured Starling
198. House Sparrow
199. Tree Sparrow
200. Chaffinch
201. Brambling
202. Greenfinch
203. Goldfinch
204. Siskin
205. Linnet
206. Twite
207. Common Redpoll
208. Lesser Redpoll
209. Crossbill
210. Bullfinch
211. Hawfinch
212. Snow Bunting
213. Yellowhammer
214. Reed Bunting
215. Corn Bunting
A Happy and bird filled New Year to all my readers and thanks for the comments, good or bad.
MY
