SIGHTINGS LOG 2008 - WEST MIDLANDS COUNTY

For the very latest bird news - subscribe to our Online Bird News Service For further details please Click Here (this will take you to the Worcester Birding website) November 30th 2 Waxwings still in Stourbridge in Norton at Westwood Avenue/Rosemary Lane junction at 11.45am (Ray Currier) and opposite Shenstone Avenue/The Broadway junction at Gig Mill Primary School at 4.30pm feeding on berrys close to road but mobile (Phil James). 8 Tree Sparrows at Marsh Lane NR and female Brambling - Permit only. November 29th 2 Waxwings in Stourbridge in trees on Sandly Lane at 10am then flew west. 2 Waxwings in Stourbridge in Norton in rowan trees on Westwood Avenue at 11am. Third-winter Caspian Gull still NE of Walsall at Stubber's Green. Drake Goosander at Marsh Lane NR on car park pool this morning - Permit only. November 28th 2 Caspian Gulls (3w & adult) again NE of Walsall at Stubber's Green this afternoon. November 27th 5 Waxwings in Wolverhampton near Aldersley High School opposite 34 Barnhurst Lane late morning. Adult Bewick's Swan at Marsh Lane NR on Railway Pool this afternoon and 250+ Golden Plover flew over - Permit only. November 26th 2 adult Yellow-legged Gulls at Bartley Reservoir in roost this evening and 3 Great Black-backed Gulls (2 1w & adult) (Terry Hinett & Andrew Curran). November 25th 9 Waxwings in Wednesfield at 215 Linthouse Lane early afternoon. November 23rd Third-winter Caspian Gull still NE of Walsall at Stubber's Green early afternoon. November 22nd Whooper Swan at Clayhanger at Ryders Mere this afternoon. 2 Caspian Gulls (3w & adult) NE of Walsall at Stubber's Green this morning and third-winter Caspian Gull still present this afternoon. 4 Jack Snipe at Marsh Lane NR: 1 on Dragonfly Pool and 3 flushed from marsh. Also Peregrine and 40 Siskin - Permit only. November 19th 19 Goosander near Dudley at Sheepwash Urban Park and 10 Golden Plover flew over. November 18th Second-winter Mediterranean Gull at Bartley Reservoir in roost from 4.15pm, plus 3 adult Yellow-legged Gulls and 4 Goldeneye (Terry Hinett). Of interest: tonight's second-winter Mediterranean Gull is the same individual that roosted here on 15th and which roosted at Westwood Pool (Worcs) last night, while the first-winter Mediterranean Gull that roosted at Bartley on 16th is the same individual that roosted at Westwood tonight and last night. November 17th 4 Goosander (3 drakes) at Bartley Reservoir this evening, plus 2 Goldeneye and 2 Yellow-legged Gulls (3w & adult) in roost (Terry Hinett). 2 female Common Scoters in Sandwell Valley on Forge Mill Lake and Grey Plover through. Also 11 Goosander and female Mandarin. Drake Goosander at Marsh Lane NR on Car Park Pool - Permit only. November 16th First-winter Mediterranean Gull at Bartley Reservoir in roost this evening. Green Sandpiper at Marsh Lane NR - Permit only. November 15th Second-winter Mediterranean Gull at Bartley Reservoir in roost this evening (Terry Hinett). November 14th First-winter Caspian Gull reported at Bartley Reservoir in roost this evening and 3 adult Yellow-legged Gulls. November 13th Third-winter Yellow-legged Gull still NE of Walsall at Stubber's Green and 46 Great Black-backed Gulls. November 12th Common Sandpiper at Marsh Lane NR - Permit only. November 10th 3 Yellow-legged Gulls (3w & 2 adults) at Bartley Reservoir in roost this evening and 2 Great Black-backed Gulls (1w & adult) (Terry Hinett). 200-300 Golden Plover flew over Marsh Lane NR - Permit only (Paul Reay). November 9th Female Goosander at Marsh Lane NR on Railway Pool then flew towards Bradnocks Marsh - Permit only. 100 Golden Plover still near Marsh Lane NR in fields on east side of A452. 25 Great Black-backed Gulls at Stubber's Green this morning. November 8th 2 Woodcock in Birmingham flew over Hall Green at 9.50am. Jack Snipe at Marsh Lane NR on marsh - Permit only. 300 Golden Plover near Marsh Lane NR in fields on east side of A452. November 7th Third-winter Caspian Gull at Bartley Reservoir in roost this evening and 3 adult Yellow-legged Gulls. November 5th Third-winter Caspian Gull at Frankley Reservoir this evening (Andrew Curran & Terry Hinett). Woodcock in central Birmingham at Dartmouth Circus flew south over Matalan store.  2 Brambling flew over Lutley Wedge this morning. 2 Dunlin at Marsh Lane NR - Permit only. November 4th 8 Bewick's Swans near Dudley at Sheepwash Urban Park but flighty. Female Lesser Spotted Woodpecker in Birmingham at Springfield along River Cole between Green Road Ford and Stratford Road (Paul Anthony). Woodcock in Birmingham in a Castle Vale garden this afternoon. November 2nd Juvenile Gannet at Lutley Wedge flew east near Grange Farm at 9.10am. Third-winter Yellow-legged Gull NE of Walsall at Stubber's Green but no sign of any Caspian Gulls. Short-eared or Long-eared Owl flew south over Marsh Lane NR at midday and 2 female Goldeneye on Car Park Pool - Permit only. 60 Golden Plover near Marsh Lane NR in fields on east side of A452. November 1st Female Goldeneye at Marsh Lane NR on Car Park Pool, plus 350 Golden Plover and Green Sandpiper - Permit only. October 31st Short-eared Owl at Bartley Reservoir on fence along north side this evening then flew towards sailing club (Terry Hinett & Steve Roberts). Third-winter Caspian Gull again NE of Walsall at Stubber's Green and adult Yellow-legged Gull. Buzzard in Birmingham in Moseley at Swanshurst Park (Paul Anthony). October 30th Adult Yellow-legged Gull at Bartley Reservoir in roost this evening and first-winter Great Black-backed Gull (Terry Hinett). 2 Caspian Gulls (3w & adult) again NE of Walsall at Stubber's Green and 2 adult Yellow-legged Gulls. 100 Golden Plover near Marsh Lane NR in fields on east side of A452 this morning. October 29th 2 Caspian Gulls (3w & adult) NE of Walsall at Stubber's Green and 4 Yellow-legged Gulls (2 3w & 2 adult). Adult Yellow-legged Gull at Bartley Reservoir in roost this evening (Terry Hinett). Juvenile Merlin at Lutley Wedge at Lutley Gutter in sycamore near Abbey Road allotments 9am to 10am then flew south and Brambling over. October 28th Hen Harrier (ringtail) reported in Sandwell Valley at Hilltop at 3pm. 53 Golden Plover flew east over Marsh Lane NR this morning, plus 3,000+ Woodpigeons flew over just after dawn and 20 Siskin - Permit only. October 27th Possible Glossy Ibis in Wolverhampton circled Dunstall Park Racecourse at 10.07am then flew north. 2 male Crossbills just NW of Wolverhampton in Tettenhall at Danescourt Cemetery in conifers by South Staffordshire Golf Club this morning. October 23rd Juvenile Gannet at Pelsall at Ryders Mere at 10.47am then flew south. October 22nd Second-winter Mediterranean Gull again at Bartley Reservoir in roost this evening and redhead Goosander still early morning only (Terry Hinett). Green Sandpiper still at Marsh Lane NR - Permit only. October 21st 2 Yellow-legged Gulls (adult & 1w) at Bartley Reservoir in roost this evening and redhead Goosander flew in at dusk (Terry Hinett & Andrew Curran). First-winter Mediterranean Gull at Woodgate Valley CP at Clapper Brook Lane by park entrance at 5pm. Jack Snipe still at Marsh Lane NR on Dragonfly Pool and House Martin - Permit only. October 20th Jack Snipe at Marsh Lane NR on Dragonfly Pool this morning - Permit only. October 19th Second-winter Mediterranean Gull again at Bartley Reservoir in roost this evening (same individual first seen on 15th). Also 2 adult Yellow-legged Gulls (Terry Hinett & Andrew Curran). 2 Yellow-legged Gulls (adult & third-winter) NE of Walsall at Stubber's Green. October 17th Second-winter Mediterranean Gull again at Bartley Reservoir in roost this evening. October 16th Second-winter Mediterranean Gull again at Bartley Reservoir in roost from 5.30pm (Terry Hinett). Green Sandpiper still at Marsh Lane NR and 24 Siskin over - Permit only. October 15th Second-winter Mediterranean Gull again at Bartley Reservoir in roost from 5.40pm and adult Yellow-legged Gull (Terry Hinett). Adult Yellow-legged Gull still NE of Walsall at Stubber's Green. October 14th 2 Mediterranean Gulls (1w & 2w) at Bartley Reservoir in roost this evening (Terry Hinett & Andrew Curran). Adult Yellow-legged Gull NE of Walsall at Stubber's Green. Green Sandpiper still at Marsh Lane NR - Permit only. October 13th First-winter Mediterranean Gull (new bird) at Bartley Reservoir in roost this evening (Terry Hinett). 2 Brambling flew over Lutley Wedge this morning and 120+ Redwing. Green Sandpiper still at Marsh Lane NR - Permit only. October 12th Second-winter Mediterranean Gull at Bartley Reservoir in roost this evening (Terry Hinett). Third-winter Caspian Gull NE of Walsall at Stubber's Green and adult Mediterranean Gull. Redhead Goosander still at Marsh Lane NR this morning, plus Green Sandpiper and Common Sandpiper - Permit only. October 11th 2 third-winter Caspian Gulls again at Stubber's Green. October 10th Yellow-browed Warbler in Dudley at Wren's Nest NNR with tit flock at 3.20pm (Craig Reed & Andrew Jones). From Park Hall Road turn left opposite lake, go up steps and follow track to clearing at top of hill. First-winter Mediterranean Gull at Bartley Reservoir in roost this evening (Terry Hinett). First-winter Caspian Gull reported at Stubber's Green. 3 redhead Goosander again at Marsh Lane NR from 10am - Permit only. Peregrine just south of Blackheath flew from Mucklow Hill towards A456 this morning. October 9th 3 redhead Goosander at Marsh Lane NR on Car Park Pool - Permit only. October 8th Adult Yellow-legged Gull at Bartley Reservoir in roost this evening and 2 Great Black-backed Gulls (adult & 3w) (Terry Hinett). October 7th Spoonbill at Marsh Lane NR until 10.45am when flew north - Permit only. Adult Yellow-legged Gull in Dudley at Lower Gornal at Ellowes Hall School on playing field at 4.15pm and Crossbill in wood. Ruddy Shelduck in Sandwell Valley at Swan Pool with Canada Geese this morning. No sign of Yellow-browed Warbler in Wolverhampton near Dunstall Hill east of A449 by Birmingham Canal by locks 12 & 13 in bushes behind science park early afternoon. October 6th Third-winter Caspian Gull again NE of Walsall at Stubber's Green and 2 adult Yellow-legged Gulls. October 4th Yellow-browed Warbler in Wolverhampton near Dunstall Hill east of A449 by Birmingham Canal by lock 12 in bushes behind science park late afternoon. 2 third-winter Caspian Gulls at Stubber's Green this morning and 3 Yellow-legged Gulls. c50 Golden Plover just north of Hockley Heath in field by Stratford Road/Kineton Lane junction early morning. October 3rd 2 Yellow-legged Gulls (adult & second-winter) at Bartley Reservoir in roost this evening (Terry Hinett). 20+ Redwing flew over Quarry Bank at 7.50am (Andy Shaw). October 2nd Juvenile Hobby at Marsh Lane NR - Permit only. September 30th Adult Mediterranean Gull again at Marsh Lane NR - Permit only. Grey Plover in Sandwell Valley at Swan Pool briefly and Mandarin on Forge Mill Lake. September 29th Female Pintail at Marsh Lane NR, plus Green Sandpiper and Hobby - Permit only. No sign of Yellow-browed Warbler south of Solihull and just NNW of M42 junction 4 at Hillfield Park at west end of lake and along footpath to Highlands Road. September 28th Yellow-browed Warbler south of Solihull and just NNW of M42 junction 4 at Hillfield Park at west end of lake and along footpath to Highlands Road late morning and still present this afternoon heard calling. Adult Mediterranean Gull again at Marsh Lane NR on railway pool early afternoon, plus juvenile Hobby and 54 Golden Plover over - Permit only. September 27th Third-winter Caspian Gull at Stubbers Green on sailing lake. Pied Flycatcher reported in Stourbridge in bushes at start of Sugar Loaf Lane and Whinchat in horse paddocks. Adult Mediterranean Gull at Marsh Lane NR on car park pool this morning - Permit only. September 26th Adult Yellow-legged Gull at Bartley Reservoir, plus adult Great Black-backed Gull and 2 Stonechat (male & female) still (Terry Hinett). September 25th Adult Yellow-legged Gull at Bartley Reservoir and 2 Stonechat (male & female) (Terry Hinett). Near-adult Caspian Gull again at Stubbers Green. September 24th Yellow-browed Warbler still in Sandwell Valley at Hilltop showed again at 8am briefly but very elusive and no sign since. From Hilltop Golf Course car park walk past clubhouse to council sheds and turn right to view. 2 Hobbies (1+ juvenile) at Marsh Lane NR this afternoon - Permit only. September 23rd Yellow-browed Warbler in Sandwell Valley trapped, ringed and released at Hilltop at 9.30am and showing again at 3.05pm but very elusive. From Hilltop Golf Course car park walk past clubhouse to council sheds and turn right to view. Near-adult Caspian Gull at Stubbers Green. Dunlin at Marsh Lane NR and adult Hobby - Permit only. September 22nd Wryneck south of Solihull and just north of M42 junction 4 at Hillfield Park briefly at 10.05am then flew into thick cover. Wheatear in Birmingham at Edgbaston Reservoir. September 21st 4 Honey Buzzards reported in West Bromwich flew SW over Halfords Lane at 1.20pm. 2 Honey Buzzards reported in Stourbridge flew south over Stourbridge Tennis Club this afternoon. September 20th Black-tailed Godwit at Marsh Lane NR and Ruff briefly - Permit only. September 19th Green Sandpiper at Marsh Lane NR - Permit only. September 18th Female Marsh Harrier flew south over Marsh Lane NR at 3.05pm - Permit only. September 17th Red Kite at Sandwell Valley flew over sewage works. 2 Pintail at Marsh Lane NR and 3 Hobbies- Permit only. September 16th Green Sandpiper at Bartley Reservoir this morning and Common Sandpiper (Jim Brindle). Pintail at Marsh Lane NR and Green Sandpiper - Permit only. No sign of reported Night Heron in Sutton Park on NE side at Blackroot Pool this evening. September 15th Unconfirmed report of Night Heron in Sutton Park on NE side at Blackroot Pool. Juvenile Honey Buzzard flew south over Marsh Lane NR with 10 Buzzards at 3.10pm. Honey Buzzard reported at Sandwell Valley flew SW over Hill Top. Red Kite east of Walsall flew SE over Barr Beacon at 12.45pm. Juvenile Black Tern in Birmingham at Edgbaston Reservoir this morning. Merlin flew over Lutley Wedge this morning and 22 Siskin. Also Hobby over this evening. September 14th Honey Buzzard flew SW over Sutton Park at 2.10pm, plus 20 Buzzards and Whinchat. 8 Sandwich Terns through Marsh Lane NR, plus Little Egret and Green Sandpiper - Permit only. Pied Flycatcher on NE side of Wolverhampton on Wood Hayes Road in hedge opposite golf course. September 13th Ring-necked Parakeet flew over Quarry Bank (Andy Shaw). Swift in Birmingham over Northfield (Iain Close). Juvenile Wheatear in Pedmore feeding on ants in gardens along Dobbins Oak Road this morning (Steve Davis). Red Kite in Wolverhampton flew towards city centre this morning. No sign of 2 Wrynecks in Sutton Park but Crossbill. September 12th 2 Wrynecks in Sutton Park late afternoon. September 11th 10 Pintail (8 drakes) at Marsh Lane NR on Railway Pool this afternoon and Hobby over (Terry Hinett) - Permit only. Juvenile Little Gull in Birmingham at Edgbaston Reservoir. Black Tern near Solihull at Olton Mere. September 9th Nightjar in Sedgley at Dingle View at c7.30pm (Colin Tong). Female Red-crested Pochard again at Marsh Lane NR - Permit only. September 8th 2 Whinchat at Sandwell Valley by Swan Pool, plus Wheatear and 6 Spotted Flycatchers. September 6th Juvenile Little Gull in Birmingham at Edgbaston Reservoir and Arctic Tern. 2 Arctic Terns at Bartley Reservoir at 9am, plus 7 Common Terns, Oystercatcher and Wheatear (Terry Hinett & Jim Brindle). Osprey at Marsh Lane NR over car park pool early morning - Permit only. September 5th Dunlin still at Marsh Lane NR. September 4th 3 Greenshank at Marsh Lane NR this morning, plus Dunlin and Whinchat in evening. September 3rd Adult Mediterranean Gull at Sandwell Valley RSPB on Forge Mill Lake on slipway. Hobby at Marsh Lane NR. September 2nd Adult Yellow-legged Gull at Bartley Reservoir in roost this evening (Terry Hinett). September 1st 5 Black Terns in Sandwell Valley at Swan Pool briefly and Whimbrel. Green Sandpiper at Marsh Lane NR, plus Hobby and Peregrine - Permit only. August 30th Crossbill in Wolverhampton flew over All Saints this evening. August 29th 2 Spotted Flycatchers at Lutley Wedge this morning and Tree Pipit over. Hobby at Marsh Lane NR, plus Peregrine and Green Sandpiper. August 28th Sanderling at Marsh Lane NR, plus adult Whooper Swan, Green Sandpiper, Hobby, Peregrine and 3 adult Mediterranean Gulls reported 8am - 9am - Pemit only. Ring-necked Parakeet near Sedgley flew over the Jolly Crispin Pub this afternoon. August 27th Peregrine again at Marsh Lane NR briefly at 7.30am. August 26th Peregrine at Marsh Lane NR. August 24th Honey Buzzard in Stourbridge drifted south over Bunkers Hill Wood at 1pm. Grey Phalarope at Marsh Lane NR this afternoon then flew off at c3.30pm, plus Osprey through and Red-crested Pochard - Permit only. August 23rd Juvenile Mediterranean Gull at Marsh Lane NR. August 21st Marsh Harrier flew south-west over Sandwell Valley this afternoon and Garganey still on marsh. August 20th Female/juvenile Garganey at Sandwell Valley RSPB on marsh and Black Tern over Swan Pool. 2 Crossbills in Sandwell Valley flew over High Bridges at 2.30pm. 2 Ruff at Marsh Lane NR - Permit only. August 19th 3 Green Sandpipers at Marsh Lane NR. August 18th Turnstone in Birmingham at Edgbaston Reservoir along west shore early afternoon. August 17th Greenshank at Marsh Lane NR on car park pool then flew towards railway. August 16th 4 Little Egrets flew over Sheepwash Urban Park this morning and Green Sandpiper. August 15th Juvenile Pintail at Marsh Lane NR this morning and Hobby. August 14th Yellow Wagtail at Marsh Lane NR. August 12th Black-tailed Godwit at Marsh Lane NR.