West Midland Bird Club

Annual Report No 40 1973

The front cover shows a male Pied Flycatcher with food. This species is a scarce nesting bird in the Club's area.

The main feature article of this year's Report deals with the distribution of the Rook and the illustration below shows this familiar bird at its nest.

West Midland Bird Club

Annual Report No 40 1973 Being the Annual Bird Report of the West Midland Bird Club on the birds of Warwickshire, Worcestershire and Staffordshire.

Contents

2 Officers and Committee

3 Chairman's Remarks

3 Editor's Report

5 Secretary's Report

6 Treasurer's Report and Financial Statement

8 Membership Secretary's Report

8 Ringing Secretary's Report

9 Field Meetings Report

9 Conservation Officer's Report

10 Ladywalk Reserve

11 The Rookeries of Warwickshire, Worcestershire and Staffordshire 22 Classified Notes

77 Recoveries in 1973 of Birds Ringed in the WMBC area

83 Recoveries in WMBC area of Birds Ringed elsewhere

85 Arrival and Departure of Migrants

85 Key to Contributors

95 List of Species requiring descriptions

Price 50p

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Officers and Committee 1974

President The Lord Hurcomb, GCB, KBE Vice-President A J Harthan, Dovers Cottage, Weston Subedge,

Chipping Camden, Gloucestershire Vice-President C A Norris, Brookend House, Wetland,

Worcestershire Chairman A T Clay, " Ardenshaw," Ullenhall, Solihull,

Warwickshire B95 5RW Secretary A J Richards, 1 St. Asaph's Avenue, Studley,

Warwickshire B80 7JB Editor B R Dean, 2 Charingworth Road, Solihull,

Warwickshire B92 8HT Treasurer K H Thomas, 34 Froxmere Close, Crowle,

Worcetster WR7 4AP Field Meeting A F Jacobs, 2a Green Lane, Hadzor, Droitwich, Secretary Worcestershire WR9 7DP Assistant J N Sears, 81 Alcester Road, Hollywood, Secretary Birmingham B47 5NR Ringing E J Pratley, 54 Welford Road, Sutton Coldfield, Secretary Warwickshire B73 5DP Conservation G C Lambourne, The Cottage Farm, Ipsley, Officer Redditch, Worcestershire B98 OAP Membership D M Thomas, 43 Mayhurst Road, Hollywood, Secretary Birmingham B47 5QG Chairman A R M Blake, 102 Russell Bank Road, Four Oaks, Research Sutton Coldfield, Warwickshire Committee Kidderminster L R Bayes, 23 Woodland Avenue, Sweetpool Lane, Branch Rep West Hagley, Worcestershire DY8 2XQ Stafford B Craddock, 44 Haling Road, Penkridge, Branch Rep Stafford ST19 5DA Coventry C Potter, 227 Boswell Drive, Walsgrave, Coventry Branch Rep

Solihull Mrs D Dunstan, 4 Blossomfield Road, Solihull, Branch Rep Warwickshire Main A R M Blake, Mrs D Dunstan, D M Hawker, Committee Mrs C Randall

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Chairman's Remarks

As one of the largest bird clubs in the country we surely have a special responsibility for good behaviour in the field. Mr Peter Conder, Director of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, has recently sent out a letter to his representatives and affiliated societies, the gist of which is as follows:— " By encouraging more people to become interested in birds we are creating more and more bird-watchers and these naturally want to enjoy their hobby and to explore the countryside, whether it is woodland, coastal, marsh or mountain. The pressures on the countryside are increasing and we bird-watchers are ourselves a pressure; we should make sure that we do not abuse our privileges. As conservationists, our behaviour must be beyond reproach. From time to time we receive complaints about bird-watchers, sometimes our own members, who have trespassed on private land, harassed a tired migrant or taken outings to places where rare birds breed. Lately these com-plaints are increasing; we may be at fault in not educating our members in the proper use of the countryside." It is hoped that members of this Club— WILL NOT TRESPASS: WILL NOT HARASS TIRED MIGRANTS: WILL NOT PUT UP WADERS AND DUCKS SO AS TO GET A BETTER VIEW: WILL NOT VISIT PLACES WHERE RARE BIRDS BREED. This code applies to all members, whether ringers, photographers or just watchers. It is hoped that each will search his or her conscience to make sure he or she is not guilty. A Talbot Clay, Chairman

Editor's Report

The rapid growth in the Club's membership has produced a potentially excellent coverage of the three counties. The consequent mass of records received each year has resulted in an increasing number of species having to be summarised, such grouped records not carrying observer's initials. Even in cases where records are published in detail there are usually several observers associated with each report and the choice of the initials to appear becomes difficult, the observer really responsible for the record possibly being omitted. The monitoring of the various species each year depends more on the mass of material supplied by members than the very small selection published and therefore nothing should be detracted from the contributions of an observer simply because any individual record is not published.

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It has therefore been decided to follow the majority of other counties and to be selective in the use of observers' initials. Only in those cases where a record requires some degree of substantiation for future reference wil l observers' initials be used. Such cases include unusual species, out of season migrants, exceptional numbers, changes in behaviour, unusual breeding records, &c. Members are thanked for their support and it is hoped they will continue to send in records for future reports. It is the common species for which, strangely enough, too little information is usually received to make a significant comment. A record slip stating simply that there has been no change, an increase or decrease locally is of great value for the common species for which members may feel they have little of interest to report. We are again indebted to Rob Hume for producing some excellent draw-ings of various birds reported during the year.

Birds in 1973 The year opened with a Great Northern Diver and two Whooper Swans remaining from 1972, the latter staying for an unusually long time until April at Bodymoor Heath. The winter period provided interest in a flock of Crossbills on Cannock Chase remaining from the previous year's invasion and also in the now expected Glaucous and Iceland Gulls on the reservoirs. Unusual visitors during this time included Red-breasted Merganser, Velvet Scoter and Peregrine. Spring was exceptionally interesting with such occurrences as three Temminck's Stints, three Avocets, two Spoonbills and two Hoopoes in the three counties. Raptors were represented by an Osprey and both Marsh and Montagu's Harriers. Rarities were noted in the form of Mediterranean Gull and Red-footed Falcon at Cannock reservoir and Alpine Swift at Upton Warren. Rather disturbing was the widespread comment on the poor passage and breeding numbers for a variety of species. The Common Terns were unsuccessful at Bodymoor Heath and apparently we have lost the Cirl Bunting from Worcestershire. On the bright side, two pairs of Shelduck bred, Hobby were successful at several sites, and first breeding records occurred in the form of Siskin in Staffordshire and Black Redstart in Worcestershire. The presence of Firecrest at two localities also gives food for thought. The Autumn was outstanding. August saw a Kite, three Pectoral Sand-pipers, and there were no less than seven Arctic Skuas together at Cannock reservoir on August 21. In September Blithfield produced White-winged Black Tern and Red-Tecked Phalarope together with some very high wader counts typified by n2 Curlew Sandpipers, 26 Little Stints and a record total of 260 Dunlin. 2wo more Pectoral Sandpipers were seen in this month as well as two Temminck's Stints and a Purple Sandpiper.

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Three Ospreys moved through and later in October a Bittern and Avocet were noted. The bird of October, however, was certainly the Caspian Tern seen at Cannock reservoir. The first few days of November provided no less than Firecrest, Avocet, Lapland Bunting and Lesser Kestrel, the latter two at Cannock reservoir. During late November and December two Red-necked Grebes and a Red-breasted Merganser occurred and an injured Eider was found. Very pleasing was the occurrence of three Peregrines, a species which had become non-existent in the three counties. B R Dean

Secretary's Report The projected Open Day for 1973 had to be cancelled and for various reasons we did not participate in any outside events which in the previous two years had greatly added to our membership total. We did, however, once again stage a number of film shows in conjunction with the Wildfowl Trust and with the RSPB. Surveys Members helped with the BTO Ringed Plover/Little Ringed Plover and Black Headed Gull surveys, and with our own Rook Census; details of the latter survey are given elsewhere in this report.

Bird Watching Permit Schemes As in 1972 over a 1000 permits were issued to members for bird watching privileges at Blithfield, Belvide and Gailey reservoirs and Ladywalk Nature Reserve.

Indoor Meetings As in previous years, we are indebted to the Birmingham Museum authori-ties for providing such first class facilities for our indoor meetings. The following speakers and their subjects were listened to by appreciative audiences of never less than 200 and on several occasions over 300 were present. January Bryan L Sage ' Wildlife of Alaska ' February Chris Mead ' BTO and Bird Ringing ' March AGM and Members' Slide Night April Peter Hanney ' Birds of the Lofoten Islands'

John Sears ' Birds of the Exe Estuary,' Arthur Jacobs ' Birds of the Pyrenees '

May Dr K H Southall Colour Films October Anglia TV ' Survival ' film November A J Richards ' Birds of Midland Reservoirs ' December David Hun t ' Birds of the Scillies ' A J Richards

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Treasurer's Report

The deficit for the year (£13.06) was less than anticipated. Various factors contributed to this satisfactory state, in particular some sizeable donations to the Conservation Fund and a continuance of Atlas sales both by ourselves and the publishers. This last source of revenue is, of course, now almost defunct; our profit on the venture to date is over £500. Inevitably costs of our services to members increased, but were held to resonable proportions. Attempts to add to our income by sales of such items as Greetings Cards, Field Lists and (an innovation) Calendars were highly successful.

Income and Expenditure Account for the Year ending December 31, 1.73

1972 Income 1973 1493 Subscriptions received for 1973 1746.56

133 Sale of Reports 51.65 7 Sale of " Birds of Staffs " 1.35

43 Field Meetings 46.15 48 Collection—Indoor Meeting 7.12 — Contributions to Conservation Fund 60.0 48 Building Society Interest 63.01

405 Reservoirs (Permit Fees) 277.63 152 Atlas Fund 84.57

92 Open Day (1972) 16.88 83 Sale of Greetings Cards 50.91 — Sale of Field Lists 4.63 — Sale of Calendars 105.55

£2504 £2526.01

Less: Expenditure 104 Indoor Meetings 112.36 723 Reports 775.86 866 Bulletins 950.52 258 Printing, Stationery, Postage, &c 154.43 387 Reservoirs (Permit Fees), Insurance, Hide Rental 264.27

39 Subscriptions to Associates 18.75 116 Open Day Expenditure (1972) 5.00

25 Greeting Cards Expenditure 53.34 — Calendar Expenditure 117.57 — Draycote Hide 80.47 — Belvide Stiles 6.50 16 Atlas Expenditure —

9 Display Board —

£2543 £2539.07

39 Deficit for the Year 13.06

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The Conservation Fund had a realisable value at the end of year of about £370; from this fund a hide at the Draycote reservoir and stiles at Belvide reservoir were provided. The campaign to increase the number of covenenating members has been profitable. Despite the lowering of the standard rate of Income Tax, our income from this source increased in 1973 and will increase still further in 1974. Subscriptions were raised for the 1974 season to £1.50 (Senior), £2 (Joint) and £1 (Junior) and should ensure a surplus for 1974 despite escalating costs. The Club is in a good position to resist inflation with its considerable reserves.

Balance Sheet—December 31 ,1973

1972 1973 1056 As at January 1,1973 1016.54

39 Less: Deficit for year 13.06 1003.48

1017

372 Subscriptions in Advance 468.50

£1389 £1471.98

Represented by: 180 Cash at Bank 493.03

Less: Unpresented cheques 132.97 360.06

967 Investment in Leics Permanent Bldg Soc 829.50 242 Conservation Fund (Scot Exempt Growth Units) at cost 282.42

£1389 £1471.98

We have examined the above Income and Expenditure Account for the year ended December 31, 1973 and Balance Sheet at that date and we certify that, in our opinion, the said Income and Expenditure A ccount gives a true and fair view of the Club's Excess of Expenditure over Income for 1973 and the Balance Sheet gives a true and fair view of the state of the Club's affairs as at December 31, 1973 in accordance with books, vouchers and information given to us.

Arthur Young, McClelland Moores & Co, Chartered Accountants

K H Thomas, Hon Treasurer February 20, 1974

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Staffordshire Branch Report The Branch programme of indoor meetings continued to attract good audiences at both Hanley and Stafford. Speakers from that other well known bird club, the BTO, including Ron Hickling posing ' The gull problem,' Jim Flegg extolling the delights of ' St Kilda and its birds ' and Leo Batten expounding on ' The effects of encroaching urbanisation on birds.' The by now not-so-unknown continent featured in two talks—Charlie Brown's excursion to the Kruger National Park and Malcolm Wright's visit to the Gambia—whilst even further afield was an account of ' Life in Antarctica ' by Richard Hesbrook. Completing this list of distinguished speakers was Frank Gribble on Scotland and Tony Blake on his life and hard times as a member of the Rarities Committee. Joint meetings with the Wildfowl Trust were a new venture, whilst the annual RSPB show again attracted an audience of several hundred. Field meetings were held in some new localities, including Bagots Wood, Needwood Forest and along the Caldon Canal, as well as to more familiar places like Tixall, Barlaston and Aqualate. During the year the Branch committee offered detailed comments on the proposed Structure Plans of both the County and the Stoke-on-Trent District Council. The year ended with the welcome news that Frank Gribble had been awarded a well-earned Tucker medal for his work in organising Black-headed Gull surveys for the BTO. E W Longman

Membership Secretary's Report During 1973 the membership of the club continued to grow and by the end of the year had reached the record total of 1,936. This consisted of 1,780 adult members and 156 junior members, and represented a net increase of 171 members over the previous year. 122 members had to be struck off because of non-payment of subscrip-tion. These people received bulletins until June and it was agreed that this practice could not be continued in the future with the increase in printing and postage charges. D M Thomas

Ringing Secretary's Report Looking through the recoveries and other ringing records for 1973 it is interesting to see how long some of the birds have lived since being ringed. As one would expect the largest species, the Mute Swans were the oldest reported, three ringed in 1961 were recovered, these were

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ringed in the early days of the study of this species in South Staffordshire which is now in its 14th year. At the other end of the scale, for size, a Swift ringed in 1962 was caught again within a few kilometres of where it was ringed. Two Reed Buntings were caught at Brandon having been ringed there in 1964 and 1965 respectively, also at Brandon a Reed Warbler ringed in 1966 was caught again. Starlings and Blackbirds ringed in 1964 and 1965 were recovered locally and on the continent during the year. The BTO Acrocephalus enquiry continues, and although few, the Sedge and Reed Warbler movements published in the list of recoveries, show the activities of ringers who retrap each others birds. Selected recoveries of birds ringed in Swallow, thrush and finch roosts appears in the list and follow a similar pattern to previous years. The two Swallows ringed as juveniles reported from Durban, S Africa, are perhaps worth a special mention. Ringers were able to accept as trainees some Club members who wished to become ringers, the number accepted is always small as the training period can be about 4 years, and the number of trainees a ringer can accept is limited. Ringers wil l always help when in a position to do so, but some members may have to be a little patient. E J Pratley

Field Meetings 1973

Fifteen field meetings were held during the year, ranging from day trips to reservoirs, heath and woodland in the club area to weekend expeditions to Anglesey and Norfolk. At most of the meetings the party was divded into two coachloads: at the expense of a slightly greater individual cost, this gave members the chance of visiting areas in groups of more manageable size, and reduced the pressure of visitors on sensitive habitats. The increased cost notwithstanding, the coachborne field meetings remain an economical way to see a good range of birds. A F Jacobs

Conservation Off icer 's Report

An interesting contrast is provided by the place conservation takes in the Club's affairs now and only a few, perhaps ten, years ago. Then the matter was rarely discussed at meetings of the Club Committee but now no meeting takes place without nature conservation coming up. Among the more interesting subjects in 1973 has been the position at Gailey Pools, where we have continued to study the success of the heronry and take such steps as seemed necessary to protect it. Late in 1972 two

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nesting platforms were constructed and fixed to some of the old Pine trees. Both were occupied during the subsequent breeding season and plans are now afoot to erect some more of these artificial nesting platforms. The ideas for the long term future of Belvide Reservoir progress exceedingly slowly and the Club Committee therefore decided to take some interim measures to give added protection to some of the breeding birds. At the time of the 1973 breeding season a sub-committee was set up to deal with Belvide matters and some short term arrangements were quickly made to give the breeding birds some added protection. Additional measures have been arranged for the 1974 season, as permit holders will know. We have been pleased to continue to support the Brandon Marsh Conser-vation Group and also those members making efforts to improve the arrangements at Draycote Water. We have had contact with the Birming-ham City Council regarding three of their projects. We have been pleased to help with the proposals for the farm land lying between Handsworth and West Bromwich and to know that our efforts have been useful. Another new development has been in regard to Shustoke Reservoir, where we are pressing the Authority not to allow sailing during the winter, when this water acts as a most valuable wildfowl refuge. On the other hand we should like to see some conservation measures taken to protect the birds breeding on the small adjacent pool. There has been continued contact over the River Cole Walkway and at last some recognition seems to be being given to our members' ability to assist.

G C Lambourne

Ladywalk Reserve On the 18 July 1973 the reserve was honoured with a visit of HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. Although the weather was dull and the birds were in the doldrums between breeding and autumn passage, this was a most pleasant occasion, HRH showing keen and informed interest in the reserve and what has been achieved. Shelduck and Little Ringed Plover again bred successfully, although the latter species in reduced numbers due to the encroaching vegetation. Control of the vegetation in this area has been put in hand by Mr. R. Vernon, Regional Landscape Maintenance Superintendent. As a wintering refuge for dabbling duck the reserve goes from strength to strength, over 1500 were counted in the short cold spell of December. Wader passage again showed reasonable variety but small numbers with the exception of Lapwing, a flock of 2000 plus in late July being one of the largest reported on the BTO Inland Wader Survey.

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Church Pool Covert has seen some changes in the latter part of the year. The removal of diseased and fallen timber and the opening up of the pool should be an improvement ornithologically. The covert is destined to become an Environmental Studies Centre for the use of schools but this will not affect the WMBC permit holders' right of access. The surviving 21 nest boxes were cleaned and checked in autumn by Messrs. Pugh and Hopkins. There was evidence of occupation in 15 boxes—9 Tree Sparrows, 5 Blue Tits and one Spotted Flycatcher. In view of this high rate of occupation it is intended to install more in 1974. The botanical survey of Church Pool Covert undertaken by the Coleshill Natural History Society is now completed and its publication can be expected soon. H T Lees

The Rookeries of Warwickshire, Worcestershire and Staffordshire

Introduction Owing to its close association with agriculture and the conspicuousness of its nests, the Rook Corvus frugilegus has long been a popular subject for census work. In several areas a considerable amount of information relating to population trends has accumulated and in a number of counties of the English Midlands a substantial decrease in numbers during the past twenty years has been revealed (eg Dobbs 1964). Until 1973 a compre-hensive census of the Rook population of the West Midlands had never been attempted, although 1500 square kilometres of South Warwickshire and Worcestershire were covered in 1945/6 as part of the national Rook Investigation organised by the British Trust for Ornithology (on behalf of the Ministry of Agriculture). In view of these indications of a declining population and the emergence of a new, and potentially harmful, factor in the form of Dutch elm disease a census of the whole of Warwickshire, Worcestershire and Staffordshire was carried out by members of the West Midland Bird Club and others during April and May 1973. The results of the census are described below and compared, where possible, with the results of earlier surveys covering more limited areas of the West Midlands.

The Census Area The counties of Warwickshire, Worcestershire and Staffordshire can be physiographically divided into three principal zones. At the centre of the region is the Birmingham Plateau, of approximately elliptical shape and extending from Stafford in the north to Redditch in the south. Most of the land in this zone lies between 120 and 240 metres OD though the Clent-Lickey ridge rises to over 300 metres. Surrounding the plateau are the

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low-lying river valleys of the Trent, the Severn and the Avon. In the extreme north of the region an extension of the Pennine Uplands gives rise to the North Staffordshire Moorlands which reach 513 metres OD at Oliver Hill.

Geologically the area is dominated by New Red Sandstone and Carboni-ferous deposits but to the south-east of the Avon is an influential zone of Jurassic origin. Other formations occur but their extent is small, and more important from an ecological viewpoint are the drift deposits and river terraces. The pattern of land usage can be correlated with these various geological formations. Owing to the presence of the coal measures highly industrialised and populous areas have developed on the Birming-ham Plateau and in north-west Staffordshire. By contrast the periphery of the plateau and the river valleys are basically pastoral. Taking the West Midlands as a whole, the amount of arable land now exceeds that of permanent grassland but there are considerable local variations. Many of the soils deriving from the New Red Sandstone and more particularly the Lias are heavy and difficult to work. Where they occur mixed farming tends to predominate, with a correspondingly high density of hedgerows and hedgerow trees. Among the latter, elm is the most common species, conspicuously so in the south of the region. On lighter, more-easily worked soils, such as occur on the river terraces of the Avon valley, arable faming is more intensive. In the district around Evesham there is an important fruit growing and market gardening industry. Compared with the mixed farming and grassland areas, the number of mature trees offering suitable nesting sites to Rooks in these regions is low. The podsolic soils deriving from the Bunter Pebble Beds are not well-suited to agriculture. Such soils occur in a large area around Cannock Chase and here softwoods have been extensively planted. The ancient sessile oak woods of the Wyre Forest, west of Kidderminster, are based on the infertile Upper Coal Measure sandstones, and are now mixed with conifers. Most of the remaining woodland of the West Midlands is made up of relatively small stands of trees.

Methods

Following the pattern established by the Atlas project, the 10 kilometre square of the national grid was chosen as the census unit. As a general rule any square with fifty per cent or more of its area lying within the three counties was considered to form part of the census area; on this basis seventy-seven squares were involved covering an area of 7,700 square kilometres or 2,972 square miles. The area thus defined coincides with that covered by the Atlas of Breeding Birds of the West Midlands (Lord and Munns 1970). In the event six squares were not censused but fortunately most were fringe squares and the continuity of the census area was not

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seriously disturbed; a further seven squares, however, were incompletely censused. Figure 1 shows the relationship of the seventy-seven squares to the 1973 county boundaries and also indicates the approximate extent of areas censused in previous, smaller surveys. A team of observers was recruited, principally from the ranks of the Atlas workers, and each observer was required to provide details of the locality, number of nests, host trees, nature of the surrounding terrain and previous history, if known, of each site within a particular square. As a working definition groups of nests separated by more than 100 yards (90 metres) were recorded as separate sites while single isolated nests were ignored.

Results 1. The Number and Distribution of Nests A total of 1022 rookeries containing 19079 nests was recorded from seventy-one squares, representing a mean density of 2.7 nests/Km.2 If the seven incompletely censused squares are eliminated from the analysis the mean density for the region becomes 2.9 nests/Km.2 Figure 2 shows the number of rookeries (upper figure) and the total number of nests (lower figure) recorded in each square, those where coverage was in-complete being marked with an asterisk. The density in individual squares varies widely, from zero at the centre of the Birmingham conurbation to 9.7 nests/Km2 in one area of north-east Staffordshire. An examination of Figure 2 in conjunction with the known physiography of the region, however, reveals two broad trends: a low density of Rooks on the higher, industrialised areas of the Birmingham Plateau and the Potteries, and a relatively high density in the valleys of the Avon and the Severn. Fourteen squares support a density greater than 4.9 nests/Km2. Nine of these lie in the Avon or lower Severn valley areas while the remaining five can be loosely associated with the Trent or its tributaries. These fourteen squares comprise only 19.7% of the census area and yet contain 46.4% of the total number of nests and 50.6% of all rookeries. The majority of those higher-density squares are based on the clay-soils of the Keuper Marl and the Lias. One notable exception is SK 15, which is the only square of predominantly Carboniferous Limestone and yet supports a higher density of nests than any other square in the region. Altitude and geological formation are of course interconnected, and both will be reflected in local agricultural practice. Thus much of the agri-cultural land of the three counties is based on the low-lying Keuper Marl and Liassic deposits and it is therefore difficult to know whether those formations are inherently attractive to Rooks or whether it is simply the associated land-usage which is the important factor. However, Tucker (1935) found a similar correlation between Rook distribution and Keuper Marl and Liassic deposits in Somerset.

Continued on page 16

Green • • • • • Harthan & Tooby % 1952 1945/6

' Norris

Fig. 1. The 1973 census area, and the approximate extent of areas surveyed in 1945/6 and 1952.

Fig. 2. The distribution of rookeries and nests.

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Away from the highly developed areas the distribution of low-density squares appears to be determined by a number of different factors. The extensive woodlands of Cannock Chase and the Wyre Forest are avoided by Rooks, which prefer to nest in hedgerow trees or small stands of trees that command relatively unobstructed views of the surrounding country-side. To the east and the north-east of the Wyre Forest the density of Rooks remains low. This may reflect increasing altitude and the approach towards more highly-developed areas. It is also possible that the agri-cultural pattern in this region is such that suitable nesting sites are fewer than average, but this possibility has not been sufficiently investigated to draw any firm conclusions. The immediate vicinity of Evesham also contains few Rooks, although numbers are high both to the east and to the west. Lack of suitable nesting sites is undoubtedly a cause in this in-tensive fruit-growing and market gardening area. Taking the West Midlands as a whole, changes in agricultural practice may considerably alter both the overall and local densities of Rooks. This point is considered further in the discussion section of the paper.

2. The Size of Rookeries Excluding forty-two rookeries from one square for which individual rookery-size was not specified. Table 1 lists the number and percentage of rookeries within various ranges of magnitude. The average size of a rookery emerges as 18.7 nests but this figure is inflated by the small number of very large rookeries and does not represent the typical rookery. From Table 1 it can be seen that the largest single group is that covering the range one to nine nests, and that seventy-six percent of all rookeries con-tain less than twenty-five nests. Only three per cent of sites contain seventy-five nests or more. The typical rookery in the West Midlands is thus rather small and this may reflect in part the relative abundance of sites in hedgerow trees compared with those in woodland. This suggestion receives some support from an examination of the distribution of rookeries and nests among different species of tree, as investigated in the following section.

TABLE 1. Rookery Size Rookery Number in Percentage Cumulative

size this range of total percentage 1-9 411 41.9 41.9

10-24 333 34.0 75.9 25-49 162 16.6 92.5 50-74 44 4.5 97.0 75-99 14 1.4 98.4

100-124 12 1.2 99.6 125-149 3 0.3 99.9 150-174 1 0.1 100.0

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3. The Host Trees

The distributions of rookeries and nests among different species of tree are presented in Tables 2 and 3 respectively. A site has been defined as mixed if no one species of tree contains above ninety per cent of the nests. Such mixed sites have been classified according to the dominant host tree in a subsection of Table 2.

Four species—elm, oak, beech and ash—account for three-quarters of the rookeries for which the host trees were identified, with elm alone account-ing for over fifty per cent of sites. Mixed sites comprise 18.9% of the total. The remaining 5.5% are made up of a variety of species including sycamore, Scots pine, horse chestnut, poplar, birch, alder, willow, larch and lime. Similarly, the four major species hold over ninety per cent of the total number of nests for which the host tree was specified. (It should be noted that this percentage includes data from mixed sites.) Comparison of the data in Tables 2 and 3 produces an approximate idea of the relative sizes of rookeries in different species of tree. A total of 6498 nests was located in 435 pure and 48 mixed elm-based rookeries. The comparable figures for oak-based rookeries are 2605, 79 and 43 respectively. Thus, although less frequent, rookeries in oaks are on average about twice the size of rookeries in elms. This difference probably reflects the more common occurrence of oak as a woodland constituent, the larger aggregates of trees supporting correspondingly larger rookeries.

TABLE 2. The species of tree containing rookeries

Species of tree rookeries No. of

Percentage of Percentage of total eliminating

all sites unspecified

Elm Oak Beech Ash Sycamore Scots Pine Misc. species Mixed Unspecified

435 79 74 38 21

9 16

157 193

42.5 7.7 7.2 3.7 2.1 0.9 1.6

15.4 18.9

52.5 9.6 8.9 4.6 2.5 1.1 1.9

18.9

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TABLE 2A. The dominant species of tree in mixed sites

No of mixed rookeries in which Percentage of Species of tree this is the dominant species all mixed sites

Elm 48 30.6 Oak 43 27.4 Beech 15 9.5 Ash 19 12.1 Sycamore 11 7.0 Scots Pine 14 8.9 Misc. species 7 4.5

TABLE 3. The distribution of nests between the various species of tree.

Species of tree Elm Oak Beech Ash Sycamore Scots Pine Misc. species Unspecified

No. of nests 6498 2605 1437 1170

590 436 220

6123

Percentage of all nests 34.1 13.6

7.5 6.1 3.1 2.3 1.2

32.1

Percentage of total eliminating

unspecified 50.2 20.1 11.1

9.0 4.5 2.4 1.7

Comparisons wi th Earlier Surveys As stated in the introduction there is little comparative data relating to the status of the Rook in the West Midlands as a whole. However, a con-siderable part of south Warwickshire and Worcestershire was censused by C A Norris, A J Harthan and H J Tooby in 1945/6 while G H Green sur-veyed an area of 334Km2 of south Worcestershire in 1952. The approxi-mate areas covered by these two studies are indicated in Figure 1. Owing to the different boundaries used in these surveys it is difficult to make direct comparisons of results. However, extracting the 1973 data relating to the 10Km squares most nearly corresponding to the earlier census areas enables a broad comparison to be made. 1. South Warwickshire In 1946 C A Norris counted 6363 nests in an area of just over 555Km2 in South Warwickshire, representing a mean density of 11.5 nests/Km2. In 1973 600Km2 in a similar area contained 2713 nests, with a mean density of 4.5 nests/Km2. These figures correspond to a decrease of over 60% in twenty-seven years. It should also be noted that the current density in this area (4.5 nests/Km2) is considerably higher than the mean density for the three counties as a whole.

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2. South Worcestershire In 1945 A J Harthan and H J Tooby counted 7068 nests in 948Km2 of South Worcestershire. (In fact their census area extended just across the county boundary into Herefordshire.) The mean density for the region was 7.5 nests/Km2. G H Green found a similar density of nests in 1952, locating 2491 nests in an area of 334Km2. By 1973 the density over 900 Km2 of South Worcestershire had decreased to 3.0 nests/Km2 and in an area of 400 Km2 broadly corresponding to the 1952 census region the density was down to 4.0 nests/Km2. Thus again a decline of the order of fifty to sixty per cent is indicated and it appears that the decrease did not begin until at least the early 'fifties.

3. Other Areas There is little other published information on Rook population trends in the West Midlands but several participants in the 1973 census have commented on a decline in numbers in recent years. G A and M A Arnold report a ' noticeable decline ' in the Tamworth area while T Cockburn and H J Wain describe numbers as ' drastically reduced ' around Burton-on-Trent. These observers have maintained records for a considerable number of years.

Discussion From the figures above it is clear that the Rook has declined significantly in the West Midlands since the early 1950's. Investigations conducted in Nottinghamshire (Dobbs 1964), Derbyshire (Lomas 1968) and several other counties of England have also revealed decreases of greater or lesser extent. Such a widespread decline must result from factors operating at a national level and most authors have suggested either increased urbanisa-tion or changes in agricultural practice as the principal cause. The first of these factors is of course at work in the West Midlands (as elsewhere) and the total area of crops, grass and rough grazing in the three counties decreased by some ten per cent between 1944 and 1972. This decrease in the gross amount of agricultural land however, seems insufficient to account for the extensive decline in Rook numbers indicated by the current census. A closer examination of the agricultural statistics reveals that, although both arable and grassland have decreased overall, the area of grain crops has in fact increased. In particular barley growing has in-creased sevenfold and now accounts for nearly a third of the total arable land. In his study in Nottinghamshire Dobbs demonstrated a positive correlation between Rook numbers and grain acreage during the years 1928 to 1958, and considered that the increased availability of soil in-vertebrates resulting from the larger area under plough was as important as the additional cereal food itself. A further census in 1962 however revealed that despite a continued increase in the extent of grain, the Rook population had suddenly collapsed. Lomas (op cit) has shown that in the

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late 1960's the Rook population of Derbyshire was considerably lower than in 1944 despite a slight increase in grain and a similar situation is now demonstrated for the West Midlands. Thus either Dobbs' positive correla-tion was a purely local phenomenon or more important changes have recently occurred which have nullified the benefits of additional grain acreage and initiated a precipitous decline in Rook numbers. In his own study Dobbs suggested that toxic chemicals were the cause of the decline in Nottingham and he produced a certain amount of evidence to support this. In particular the timing of the collapse in Rook numbers followed closely the intensive use of pesticides in 1960 and 1961. Murton (1971) and Murton and Westwood (1974) studied the relationship of Rook numbers to food supply and concluded that the abundance of earth-worms during the summer months was a critical factor. During the dry season, when no grain is available, Rooks are heavily dependent for food on earthworms obtained from grassland. Thus any factor which affects the availability of earthworms at this critical time will influence the survival rate of Rooks, particularly young birds. On this basis the observed decline in Rook numbers implies that earthworm availability has decreased significantly in recent years. This may be related to environmental changes resulting from human activities but natural factors may also be involved. For example, earthworm density in the surface soil is presum-ably correlated with rainfall. The tendency towards cloudier, wetter summers in the 1950's coincided with an increase in the Rook population in many parts of England, it may be that the recent population collapse reflects a relatively dry phase in the rainfall pattern. The association between Rooks and the Keuper Marl and the Lias may also be connected with the relatively high water-retaining properties of clay-soils. The emergence of Dutch elm disease has added a new dimension to the pressures exerted on Rooks. A number of rookeries in diseased elms were felled during the period of the current census and this situation will no doubt continue for several seasons to come. The relative abundance of elms in south Warwickshire and Worcestershire is such that any prolonged felling of this species must eventually reduce the number of suitable breeding sites to an adversely-low level. In view of the present situation it will be necessary to maintain a careful record of Rook population changes.

Summary A census of the rookeries of Warwickshire, Worcestershire and Stafford-shire during the spring of 1973 revealed 1022 rookeries containing a total of 19079 nests. Excluding seven incompletely censused squares, the mean density for the region was 2.9 nests/Km2. The density in individual squares varied from zero to 9.7 nests/Km2. In general densities were low on the industrialised regions of the Birmingham Plateau and in the Pot-teries, and relatively high on the Keuper Marl and Liassic soils of river valleys and their environs.

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The average rookery, statistically speaking, contained 81.7 nests while three-quarters of all rookeries contained less than twenty-five nests. Four species of tree—elm, oak, beech and ash—held over ninety per cent of the nests for which the host tree was identified, with elm alone account-ing for more than sixty per cent. Rookeries in elms, however, were on average only half the size of those in oaks. A comparison with earlier, more limited surveys indicates that a significant decline has taken place in the Rook population of the West Midlands at some time during the past twenty years. This decline is discussed in relation to agricultural and climatic changes, and their effect on food supply. Dutch elm disease has introduced a new adverse factor and further censuses will be required to monitor the developing population trends.

Acknowledgements Over one hundred observers supplied the data upon which this report is based and their assistance is gratefully acknowledged. Special thanks must go to E J Bradford, B Craddock and F C Gribble for arranging coverage of outlying areas, and to D Smallshire for obtaining the appropriate agricul-tural statistics. G H Green and C A Norris kindly allowed me to examine unpublished material relating to the 1952 and 1945/6 surveys respectively, while the former also provided a valuable criticism of an earlier draft of this report. Finally, I am indebted to the Research Committee of the WMBC for much helpful assistance and discussion during all stages of the organisation and execution of the census.

References Dobbs, A 1964 Rook numbers in Nottinghamshire over 35 years.

Brit Birds, 57: 360-364 Harthan, A J 1946 The Birds of Worcestershire. Worcester Press Lomas, D 1968 The Decline of the Rook Population of Derbyshire.

Bird Study, 15:198-205 Lord, J and Blake, A R M 1962 The Birds of Staffordshire. The West

Midland Bird Club Lord, J and Munns, D J 1970 At/as of Breeding Birds of the West

Midlands. The West Midland Bird Club Murton, RK 1971 ManandBirds. Collins Murton, R K and Westwood, N J 1974 Some effects of agricultural

change on the English arifauna. Brit Birds, 67 : 41 -69 Norris, C A 1947 Notes on the Birds of Warwickshire. Cornish Parslow, J 1973 Breeding Birds in Britain and Ireland—an Historical

Survey. Poyser Tucker, B W 1935 The Rookeries of Somerset. Proc of the Somerset

Arch and Nat Hist Soc 81 : 149-240 Alan R Dean

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Classified Notes The sequence followed is that of the BTO Species List of British and Irish Birds (1971) based on the Wetmore Classification. See page 85 for key to contributors.

Great Northern Diver Warks The 1972 bird was last seen at Draycote on January 2 CHP.

Great Crested Grebe Warks Small numbers breed on most suitable waters. Maxima reported

were 15 in Sutton Park on March 18; 16 at Compton Verney on March 24; 23 at Earlswood Lakes on April 1 ; 30 at Draycote on April 14; 40 at Bodymoor Heath and 20 at Alvecote on April 28; 20 at Bartley on April 29.

Worcs Far fewer breeding reports than for Warwickshire. Maxima reported were 27 at Bittell on April 3 and 36 at Westwood in autumn.

Staffs Poor breeding success on the larger waters. Various maxima :— 21 at Chillington on February 23; 13 at Knypersley on March 24; 17 at Cannock on April 4 ; 25 at Belvide on July 1 ; 100 at Blith-field in early September.

Red-necked Grebe Staffs One reported at Trentham Lake on November 28 HH and at

Blithfield on December 8 BCG.

Slavonian Grebe Staffs At Blithfield one noted on March 3 PBTICW and from November

18 to 25—several observers. Another reported at Kings Bromley on December 14 BCG.

Black-necked Grebe Warks One at Bodymoor Heath on September 15 KESOS and 2 at

Leamington Spa reservoir on December 2 EJB. Worcs Single birds at Bittell from August 8 to 15—several observers, and

at Westwood Park on October 14 CPB. Staffs Single birds at Belvide from September 8 to 21 and at Blithfield

from December 2 to 9—several observers. At Cannock one reported on October 21 BMM.

Little Grebe Many records of one or two birds.

Warks 50 at Draycote during September; 12 at Ladywalk on September 15; 59 at Bodymoor Heath on October 2 ; 44 at Alvecote on October 6; 11 on the Avon at Stratford on December 29.

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Worcs Various maxima were 15 at Bittell and 2 only at Westwood in spring; 12 at Upton Warren on August 17; 5 at Wilden on August 27. No records for any other localities received.

Staffs Several reports involving less than six birds. Maxima at various localities were 10 at Himley on January 21 ; 30 at Belvide on August 19; 30 at Blithfield on September 9; 6 at Seven Springs on October 12; 9 at Gailey on December 2; 15 at Bridgtown subsidence pools on December 22.

Cormorant All Warwickshire and Worcestershire records given.

Warks Single birds noted at Alvecote from January 5 to 13; Leamington Spa reservoir on July 29 (2), August 19, September 23 and November 11 ; Bartley on August 10; Draycote on September 18; Wormleighton on October 18; Compton Verney on October 21 and Brandon on October 26.

Worcs Reported from Bittell on January 4 and from April 19 to 29 with 12 on April 23. At Upton Warren one on May 4, 2 on 5th and one on October 24.

Staffs Maxima at various localities were 16 at Aqualate on January 31, 22 over Brocton on February 10; 12 at Belvide on December 26 and 42 at Blithfield on December 28. Recorded at Cannock reservoir as follows: March 15, April 21 (7), May 5 (3), May 27-30 (3), September 20 and November 1.

Shag

Staffs One flew over Belvide during a gale on November 24 CJH.

Heron Warks Eight pairs reported to have had a good season at Coombe Abbey.

Autumn maxima were 12 at Ladywalk; 20 at Draycote on August 5; 13 at Brandon on September 7 ; 9 at Alvecote on September 11 ; 5 at Meriden gravel pits; 23 at Bodymoor Heath on September 2.

Worcs Six at Bittell on January 10 and 8 at Grimley gravel pits on September 22 were the most reported.

Staffs At least 28 nests occupied at Gailey, the two erected platforms being used. Again unusually scarce at Blithfield, the maximum being 12 during August 13 to 15. Bittern

Warks Remains of a bird found at Alvecote on October 13 GAA.

Spoonbill Warks One occurred at Brandon on May 14 BMCG and at Alvecote on

June 13 AECo NSJ.

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Mallard Maxima at various localities:—

Warks 200 at Brandon on November 18, 275 at Alvecote on November 25, 375 in Sutton Park in December, 1000 at Draycote on Dec-ember 2, 280 at Earlswood on December 16 and 396 at Coombe Abbey on December 18.

Worcs 180 at Upton Warren on September 22,166 at Bittell on November 14 and 300 at Westwood on December 8.

Staffs 110 at Copmere on February 18, 1213 at Blithfield on November 17, 1500 at Belvide on November 30, 173 at Trentham on December 1, 350 at Gailey on December 2, 220 at Patshall on December 27.

Teal Maxima at various localities:—

Warks 50 at Draycote in first winter period, 60 at Packington and 400 at Brandon on February 4 ; 58 at Lea Pools on March 21 ; 275 at Alvecote on November 4 ; 60 at Middleton Hall Pool on November 18; 450 at Ladywalk on December 12.

Worcs 80 at Upton Warren on September 30 and up to 80 from early November at Bittell—feeding on the mud exposed by drainage of the reservoir.

Staffs Many localities held up to 50 birds; larger numbers were 423 at Blithfield on September 17; 130 at Belvide on December 8; 150 at Doxey Marshes on December 30.

Garganey Warks Two at Bodymoor Heath noted on April 24 and one at Ladywalk

on April 25. A pair present at Brandon from May 7 to end of July, while at Alvecote a pair remained from May 12 to June 16, occasionally joined by a second drake. On return passage one or two occurred from July 30 to September 29 at Ladywalk; 8 at Alvecote on August 26 and 2 on September 1, one at Brandon on September 20; one or two at Draycote between August 30 and October 4 and one at Packington on October 13.

Worcs A pair seen at Westwood on April 19; 3 at Bittell on July 8 and 9 followed by another on September 15, and one at Upton Warren from August 14 to September 23.

Staffs One or two at Belvide from March 10 to June 13 and one seen at Seven Springs on May 17. From July 19 one or two reported from Belvide until October 13, while at Blithfield up to 4 present between August 4 and September 22 with a maximum of 7 on September 9. At Gailey a bird occured on October 8.

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Gadwall Warks Up to 4 present at Alvecote from January 13 until March 18, one

seen in Sutton Park until February 22 and 3 at Packington Park on February 4. Two or three reported at Coombe Abbey from January 14 to March 24; at Bodymoor Heath between January 21 and April 24; and a pair at Brandon from March 24 to May 9. Then 5 at Bodymoor Heath on July 8 ; up to 5at Ladywalk between July 15 and September 29; and up to 5 at Draycotefrom August 17 to November 18. One seen at Sutton Park on October 19 and one or two at Alvecote between October 8 and November 18.

Worcs One at Tardebigge on January 8 ; one or two at Westwood Park from January 1 to February 10, and also at Upton Warren between January 27 and March 16, with another bird from June 24 to July 1. Up to 4 seen regularly at Upton Warren from August 13 with 6 on the final date of November 30. At Westwood noted from August 26, usually 5 birds, but up to 9 present in December. One occurred at Bittell between August 24 and September 30.

Staffs Up to 4 noted regularly at Belvide between February 3 and July 7 with 8 on April 24. At Blithfield one reported on January 28 and July 11, with a bird at Gailey on February 3, and 2 at White Sitch on January 28. One or two then present at Belvide from July 25 to September 13, and from November 10 onwards with 7 on December 8 and 22. At Blithfield one noted from August 23 increasing to 4 on September 8 ; then seen from October 28 to December 8 with 5 on the last date. One present at Tixall on October 30 and 2 at Chillington on December 16.

Wigeon Warks A bird summered in the Ladywalk-Bodymoor area. Maxima

reported were 100 at Lea Marston and 67 at Coombe Abbey on January 14; 350 at Draycote on February 16; 145 at Ladywalk on February 18; 80 at Shustoke on February 28; 40 at Bodymoor Heath and 72 at Alvecote on December 22; 60 at Brandon on December 30.

Worcs 31 at Westwood on January 21 ; 50 at Bittell in late February; 30 at Upton Warren on December 9.

Staffs Two summered at Belvide. 70 noted at Tittesworth on January 27; 650 at Aqualate on January 31 ; 1330 at Blithfield on Feb-ruary 18 when 156 seen at Belvide; 109 at Chillington on February 23; 32 at Cannock on December 2.

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Pintail Warks Single birds noted at Packington on January 21, February 4,

October 13 and November 18. At Brandon one or two present from January 12 to February 17, and one on September 22. 4 noted at Arbury on January 31 and one at Coombe Abbey on February 10. One or two present at Draycote from January 1 to April 3, and then from August 30 with 16 on September 22. 9 birds reported at Ladywalk from March 11 to 21 with 4 on April 1, and then one or two from October 7 with 5 on December 8. At Bodymoor Heath one present from January 7 to February 25, and from June 18 to July 8, followed by 4 on August 26 and one or two until October 11. Up to 6 seen at Alvecote from January 6 to March 5 with one present from July 10 to August 18 and another from September 29 to November 1. At Compton Verney one reported on November 4.

Worcs Two occurred at Grimley on January 21. One or two at Upton Warren from early January to April 8 and from November 3 to end of year. At Bittell, following a party of 5 on January 4, one or two seen until April 6 and one on December 2. 3 occurred at Westwood on December 28.

Staffs Two seen at Norton Canes on January 7; one at Himley Park from January 21 to February 4; one at Trentham from January 20 to February 24; one at Westport Lake on January 31, at Rudyard on February 4 and at Tittesworth from March 11 to 16. At Cannock one noted from January 5 to 17, with 2 on December 2. One reported at Belvide from January 14 to February 10 and then up to 5 from September 11 to December 8. Present at Blithfield until March 9 with 7 on February 4, and then from September 13 with 6 on November 7. One at Gailey on December 2.

Shoveler Warks 37 at Brandon on February 24 was the maximum noted there;

116 at Alvecote on September 30; 20 at Bodymoor Heath on October 10; 30 at Packington on November 20; 160 at Coombe Abbey on November 24 when 27 seen at Ladywalk; 23 at Dray-cote on December 30.

Worcs 40 recorded at Westwood on January 2; 11 at Bittell on September 29; 50 at Upton Warren on October 10.

Staffs 16 at Gailey on January 22; 35 at Aqualate on January 31 ; 56 at Chillington on February 23; only small numbers at Blithfield with 20 during March; 110 at Belvide on December 18.

Mandarin Staffs One at Knypersley on December 2.

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Red-crested Pochard Warks Up to 4 present at Draycote from August 17 to October 26, and

one at Alvecote on August 25. Worcs One present for about three weeks around late January—early

February at Spring Pools. Staffs At Blithfield one reported on September 9.

Scaup Warks A duck seen by several observers at Draycote from January 14 to

March 9. A duck reported in Sutton Park on September 15 DJC and a drake at Shustoke on October 6 BLK.

Worcs A duck seen on January 21 at Arrow Lake, Redditch AJR. Staffs A duck seen at Calf Heath reservoir on January 1 CR. At

Gailey a duck noted on January 7 and 21 DS and another from December 21 to 26 DS, CR, ICW. At Blithfield, following 3 on January 13 PAK, a duck present until April 22, with a pair on March 3 PVT, ICW. Two drakes then seen on July 29 ESC, JEF, 2 birds on October 13 and 14, and a duck from December 2 to end of year—many observers, with 3 reported on December 15 PBT. At Belvide 3 occurred on April 24 CR, DS, ICW and a duck (con-sidered to be the Gailey bird) from December 16 to 29—several observers. 4 reported at Cannock reservoir on October 21 BMM, and then up to three noted by many observers from November 1 to end of year.

Tufted Duck Warks Largest numbers reported were 70 at Coombe Abbey on January

14; 80 at Packington on January 21 ; 200 at Shustoke also on January 21 (and on December 3) ; 78 at Brandon on February 24; 60 at Bartley and 400 at Draycote on December 1 ; 450 at Body-moor Heath on December 9 at which place 26 broods totalled 187 young; 100 at Ladywalk on December 22; 250 at Alvecote on December 28.

Worcs 50 present at Westwood during January and December; 150 at Bittell on February 19.

Staffs Many reports of up to 50 birds—larger numbers as follows: 239 at Blithfield on March 17; 132 at Copmere on August 17; 400 at Gailey on December 2; 360 at Belvide on December 16; 353 at Cannock on December 19.

Pochard Warks Maxima at various localities: 70 at Compton Verney on January 7 ;

82 at Packington on February 4 ; 241 on March 4 at Alvecote; 44 at Middleton Hall on March 18; 200 at Shustoke and 300 at Bodymoor Heath on November 14; 350 at Draycote on December 1 ; 200 at Coombe Abbey on December 8.

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Worcs 69 at Upton Warren on January 6; 170 at Westwood Park on January 21 ; 103 at Bittell on October 26.

Staffs Many records of less than 50 birds—larger numbers as follows: 90 at Copmere in late January; 100 at Himley on January 28; 150 at Aqualate on January 31 ; 241 at Cannock on November 1 ; 150 at Belvide on November 24; 100 at Gailey on December 2; 300 at Blithfield on December 29.

Goldeneye Warks Several reports involving two or three birds. 27 at Shustoke on

January 14; 30 at Bodymoor Heath on February 4 and again in late September—the injured bird which has summered there recently was found dead on June 7; 20 at Draycote on April 14.

Worcs One or two noted in winter months at Upton Warren, Bittell, Westwood, Arrow Lake, and two ducks reported on the Severn at Bewdley on June 9 BB.

Staffs 26 at Gailey on March 18 and in addition to another bird on June 9 DS, RDS a bird summered. 70 at Blithfield on April 16; 103 at Belvide on December 26; up to 50 regularly at Cannock in both winter periods when no disturbance, the maximum being 61 on December 31.

Long-tailed Duck

Warks A drake entangled in fishing line first seen at Shustoke on June 10 BLK and then noted regularly at Shustoke, Bodymoor Heath and Ladywalk by many observers until last seen at Shustoke on August 9 SMW. A different bird noted at Draycote from June 13 to 16 RB, GRH and another on December 1 GRH.

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Worcs A duck present from November 16 MAB until well into following year at Upton Warren.

Staffs A duck occurred at Cannock reservoir from October 21 ARMB to November 20 PBT.

Velvet Scoter Staffs A drake identified at Cannock on October 21 BMM and 2 drakes

at Belvide on March 31 ICW. Scoter jizz, white wing bar and eye patch noted in both cases.

Common Scoter Warks A duck at Ladywalk on August 3 AJ; 13 ducks present at Draycote

on November 2 and seen by several observers until just one present by end of year—during which time 14 noted on one or two occasions.

Worcs A drake at Arrow Lake on September 1 AJR. Staffs Four present at Belvide on July 15 EGP, one remaining until

August 8 BMM, and a duck noted on October 11 CR. A drake noted at Cannock from July 17 to 27 GE with a duck on Sept-ember 18 RAH and 4 on November 1 GE. At Blithfield a duck seen by several observers on November 17 and 18.

Eider Staffs A duck found injured in late December at Adbaston died later CW.

Ruddy Duck Warks One or two noted at Alvecote during January and between May

and September. One seen at Draycote on August 27 and at Edgbaston Park from September 13 to October 20.

Worcs Three or four seen at Westwood Park in all months except August and September with 7 noted on March 7. Two occurred at Pirton Pool on March 4. At Upton Warren four or five seen regularly from mid-April until end of year, the highest numbers being in autumn with 7 on November 4. One reported at Bittell on October 26.

Staffs One noted at Gailey on January 21. At Copmere four or five seen between March and August; 2 or 3 at White Sitch in late April; 3 at Aqualate on May 13; 3 reported at Knighton on October 29; maximum at Belvide, where bred was 59 on Nov-ember 10, and at Blithfield 67 on December 31. Red-breasted Merganser

Warks A duck reported at Shustoke from December 9 to 12 BLK. Staffs A drake noted at Blithfield from January 14 to February 10—

several observers, and 2 ducks on October 12 MJ/—one still present on 13 TWF. JL.

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Goosander Warks Up to three present at Earlswood Lakes from January 3 to

February 19; one seen at Brandon on January 6; one or two at Draycote between January 2 and 14, and 4 on December 30 were the only records here; 2 noted at Alvecote in October; one reported at Shustoke on February 17, 2 from November 18 to 21 ; twelve on December 9 and one on 17. At Bodymoor Heath one seen on December 2 and 2 on December 16. 3 reported at Bartley on December 9.

Worcs Single birds noted at Bittell from January 18 to 29 and on December 15. A pair present at Upton Warren on December 9.

Staffs Maximum at Belvide was 11 on March 18, and at Blithfield, where a bird again summered, 82 counted on December 28. 12 reported at Rudyard on January 13; 2 at Aqualate on January 31 ; 13 at Tittesworth and 15 at Copmere on February 4 ; 11 at Bromley Pool on March 2; one noted at Gailey on March 17 and April 25; one at Cannock reservoir from December 2 to 19.

Smew Staffs Two reported at Blithfield on January 14 HH.

Shelduck Two pairs bred in Warwickshire.

Warks Up to 7 birds noted at Ladywalk from mid February to early July, one pair breeding and producing brood of eleven; a later bird noted on November 18. At Alvecote up to 8 recorded from January 6 until July 14, with another from November 18 to December 9. A pair bred and hatched 4 eggs, though only 3 young survived. After single birds at Coombe Abbey on January 14 and March 24, a pair summered but did not breed, and a further bird seen on December 8. One or two recorded at Brandon in February and July and from August 27 to October 7, with a final bird on December 28. At Draycote 2 for 3 noted in February and April, and from September 11 to 28. At Bodymoor Heath one or two noted regularly from March 14 to July 1, with single birds on August 15 and October 24. Four present at Griff on April 1, one or two at Packington Gravel Pits from September to end of year, and one at Middleton Pool on December 20.

Worcs One noted at Westwood Park on January 28. At Bittell one or two preported from February 1 to May 3, and from October 3 to December 9. One seen at Upton Warren on February 4, two from April 26 to 27, and single birds on several dates in August, October and December. At Wilden one present on August 13.

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Staffs Two or three reported at Blithfield on dates between January 3 and April 27, and after one on July 1, noted from September 2 onwards with most in December and 19 on December 8. Up to 4 recorded at Belvide from January 14 to April 21 followed by 8 on May 12. At Cannock Reservoir 3 noted on January 3, 11 on February 3, 5 on June 1 and one on September 2. One occurred at Rudyard Lake on February 4.

Egyptian Goose Staffs One seen at Blithfield on March 22.

Grey Lag Goose All records probably feral birds.

Warks Six reported at Shustoke on January 14; 6 at Draycote on January 27 and 4 or 5 during November and December; 2 with a gosling seen in Sutton Park on May 28; one at Coombe Abbey on July 20; 124 on July 28 was the most seen at Packington Park where approximately 70 young raised; 14 at Brandon on September 23 was the maximum noted, on which date 5 occurred at Ladywalk; 91 on October 6 was the highest number at Bodymoor Heath; 5 seen at Ryton gravel pit on December 18.

Worcs Single birds seen at Upton Warren on May 1 and at Hagley on August 23.

Staffs One remained at Himley from January 1 to April 15; one at Gailey from January 21 to February 3 ; one at Belvide on April 8 and December 26; 2 seen at Patshull on December 27; 5 stayed at Blithfield from December 15 to end of year.

White-fronted Goose Fewer than usual.

Worcs One present at Bittell from January 3 to 12. Staffs Twenty recorded at Yoxall on January 13; 60 at Wheaton-Aston

on January 25; 1 at Endeon on January 27; singles at Belvide on January 21 and December 22; one at Blithfield on December 30.

Snow Goose Warks One noted at Bodymoor Heath on January 21.

Brent Goose

Warks At Bodymoor Heath one seen on September 23.

Barnacle Goose Warks Bird which has flown with Grey Lags for last two years last seen at

Packington in late September. Staffs Two or three seen at Chillington from May 13 to 19.

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Red-breasted Goose Warks One noted at Bodymoor Heath from September 29 to October 14.

Canada Goose Warks Breeding reported from Sutton Park, Packington, Bodymoor

Heath, Ladywalk and Coombe Abbey. Largest flocks recorded were 130 at Packington on August 25, 105 at Ladywalk on August 29, 90 at Trittiford Park on September 9, 500 at Bodymoor Heath on October 3; 50 at Brulton Park on December 8 and 66 at Seeswood Pool on December 26.

Worcs Reported as breeding at Upton Warren, Belbroughton, Westwood and Mary Steven's Park. Highest numbers were 56 at Upton Warren on March 26 and July 29, 94 at Mary Steven's Park on September 14 and 238 at Bittell on September 16.

Staffs Breeding reports from White Sitch, Gailey, Milford, Brocton and Acton Trussel. Largest flocks noted were up to 300 regularly at Chillington; 165 at Aqualate on January 31 ; 62 at Bromley on March 2; 223 at Blithfield on September 22; 340 at Belvide on September 29; 115 at Enville on November 17; 160 at Gailey on December 18 and 238 at Patshull on December 27.

Mute Swan Warks Poor breeding season reported in Tama Valley; both pairs washed

out at Brandon; two out of four cygnets lost by pair in Sutton Park. Alvecote flock reached maximum of 163 on July 22 and again here no cygnets hatched from six nests due to flooding and disturbance.

Staffs Largest numbers were 68 at Tamworth on January 4 ; 32 on the Sow in Stafford on August 14; 24 at Copmere on August 26; 48 at Cannock reservoir on November 17 and 20 at Belvide on November 30.

Whooper Swan Warks The two 1972 birds present at Bodymoor Heath until April 17 RJJ.

Two, presumably the Bodymoor Heath birds, visited Middleton Hall Pool on March 18 GAA.

Staffs Four birds made a brief visit at Blithfield on February 4 GRH NPH; 3 reported at Bridgtown subsidence pools on February 15 BCG.

Bewick's Swan Warks Two or three noted in January and March at Draycote with 13 on

November 30. At Brandon one or two from January 6 to 27 with 9 on January 7 and the 15 on December 2. One noted at Bodymoor Heath on January 7 and 3 on October 22. At Bartley reservoir 4 seen on January 8, 2 on October 27, 29 on November

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30 KHT, and 9 on December 4. Seven flew over Erdington on January 30. At Alvecote 38 present on March 18 and then up to 6 from October 29 to November 18. One reported at Ryton gravel pit on April 14. On October 23 7 flew southwest over Hall Green, and one seen at Ladywalk from October 28 to 30. At Leamington Spa reservoir 12 noted on December 2 and 26 on December 4.

Worcs Four recorded at Pirton Pool on January 3; 3 on River Teme at Worcester on January 13, and one at Arrow Lake, Redditch on January 21. 32 flew over Bittell on December 1 and 18 flew over Halesowen on December 2.

Staffs Noted at Blithfield from January 21 to March 18 with 24 on March 6 and 18 on March 18. Then seen from October 20, usually less than 13 but with 16 on December 30 and 31. At Cannock reservoir 4 or 5 noted on January 23, February 10, March 17 and December 29. 2 at Belvide on January 21 and 1 from December 16 to 26. At Gailey 2 noted on January 7 and 4 on February 25. 4 seen at Copmere on January 25 and another in late December. 2 reported at Endon on January 27, 2 at Rudyard on February 4, 7 at Rugeley Power Station on April 11 ; 5 at Trentham Lake on December 1 and 27 flew over Handsacre on December 8.

Buzzard Outside breeding season 32 reports, comprising 8 Warwickshire, 7 Worcestershire and 17 Staffordshire.

Warks Pair present throughout breeding season in Packington Park. One seen over Priors Hardwick on May 12, a pair over Cleeve Hill on June 10, and one over Acock's Green on May 26.

Worcs Single birds reported in breeding season as follows: Wyre Forest on May 20; Kyre on June 1 ; Cradley on June 4; Bredon Hill on June 11 ; Halesowen on July 1 and Menith Wood in June.

Staffs Pair present throughout breeding season at Chillington Park, 2 seen at Gailey on June 8 and pair present at Enville.

Sparrowhawk Warks Reports from five localities outside breeding season. Breeding

season records from Ansty Wood, Combrook, Sutton Park, Monley Gravel Pit and Brandon.

Worcs Records outside breeding season from seven localities. Noted in breeding season at Droitwich, Eyemore Wood, Halesowen and Hadzor.

Staffs Many records from 28 localities outside breeding season. In breeding season reported from Cannock Chase, Coombes Valley, Beech, Rushton, Rawnsley, Weston Park, North Staffordshire Moors, Chillington.

34

Red Kite Worcs A bird watched moving slowly south-west over Stourport-on-

Severn on August 25 MDH.

Marsh Harrier Warks Reported from Brandon on May 16 BMCG. Worcs One seen at Upton Warren on May 23 may have been the same

individual seen at Brandon GET.

Hen Harrier Warks One reported in Sutton Park on October 21 DWP per ARMB. Worcs A male put up by farmer at Goosehill Wood in November per CPB. Staffs Single birds reported from Pendeford on January 1 CRG, North

Staffordshire Moors on September 5 AS, and Cannock Chase on December 28 ART RW. Several reports of birds on North Staffordshire Moors in winter, possibly three birds involved in December per FCG.

Montagu's Harrier Worcs A bird watched at Goosehill Wood on May 5 was considered to

be of this species because of size, bouyant flight and lack of clear white rump CPB.

Osprey Worcs One disturbed roosting near Dowles Brook on April 26 EGP.

Two watched over Stourbridge on September 2 DCWH. At Bittell one seen by many observers from September 19 to October 2.

Staffs Two flew over Blithfield on September 9 CS. At Rudyard Lake a bird noted on October 7 JRC.

Hobby Warks One occurred at Draycote on May 18 RB; one at Combrook on

May 20 RA; one or two in June and August at Leamington Spa reservoir EJB; one regularly at Brandon from June 16 to Sept-ember 20 BMCG; at Bodymoor Heath on July 22—several observers—and on August 5 and 8 RJJ; one noted at Compton Verney on August 8 RA , and at Priors Hardwick on August 27 and September 1 RB; 2 seen at Bedworth Swallow roost on Sept-ember 10 RKS.

Worcs Single birds seen near Droitwich on May 27 CPB; at Oldswinford on May 29 PS; at Upton Warren five times from July 19 to September 3—several observers; at Sheriff's Lench once or twice in August TCS; at Hartlebury Common on September 16 SMW.

Staffs A bird noted at Belvide on August 21 DS and September 2 FCG CR.

35

Peregrine Worcs One watched for several minutes attacking Raven at Welland on

December 28 CAN. Staffs Single birds noted at Riley Hill on January 25 AJD) at Weston

Park in early May per JL and on December 9 PGD; at Brocton gravel pit on December 13 PAK.

Merlin Warks One reported at Sutton Park on November 24 SMH. Staffs One noted at Mitton on March 19 AJD ; on Cannock Chase on

May 6 NJd'A ; at Kings Bromley on July 1 BCG; Pillaton on October 28 AJD; Cannock reservoir on November 9 JL ; several at Coombes Valley during November MWa.

Red-footed Falcon

Warks A recently accepted record is of an immature male seen at Middleton Hall on May 14 and 21 1967 GAA CDTM DS.

Staffs An immature male seen by many observers at Cannock reservoir from May 28 ARMB RAH to June 6 ESC. During this time the bird was extremely approachable, and points noted while it rested on earth mounds or hawked for insects low over the ground in-cluded slate mantle and crown, rusty nape, slate-brown wing-coverts and flight feathers, pink-flushed underparts, barred underwing and tail, rudimentary moustachial stripe and reddish-orange cere and legs. Second and third records for Club's area, following an old record in 1870.

36

Kestrel No changes in status reported.

Lesser Kestrel Staffs A male identified at Cannock reservoir on November 4 coincident

with records in Sussex and Glamorgan ARMB. Points noted included slight build with relatively shorter tail and brighter coloura-tion than kestrel; clear blue grey head with no moustache; rich chestnut unspotted mantle; clear blue grey greater wing coverts. First record for Club's area. Red Grouse

Staffs Good season reported for North Staffordshire moors.

Black Grouse Staffs Reports received from Swallow Moss, Gradbach, Gun Hill, Back

Forest. 14 seen at Back Forest on January 20 and at Swallow Moss on December 31. 50 counted at Leks in north Staffordshire during the summer MWa GL. Red-legged Partridge Largest numbers reported were:—

Warks Six at Ladywalk on September 10; 7 at Brandon on September 13; 8 at Welford-on-Avon on December 8.

Worcs Up to 20 seen at Westwood Park during summer. Staffs Ten present at Brocton in June and July; 14 noted at Enville on

December 30.

Partridge Widely reported, coveys of up to 15 being quite common.

Warks 40 counted between Stratford and Bidford-on-Avon on Dec-ember 27.

Quail Warks One called regularly at Brandon between June 16 and July 22

BMCG.

Staffs Up to 3 present at Whittington sewage farm in August MSS.

Pheasant

No changes reported.

Water Rail Many reports during winter months.

Warks Four present at Brandon in February and one or two noted during summer. Pair bred at Bodymoor Heath and thought to have bred at Ladywalk where juvenile seen in September.

37

Worcs Largest numbers seen were 3 at Bittell and also at Old Northwick Marsh in winter.

Staffs Three present at Tixall on October 30 was the largest number together.

Spotted Crake Warks Single birds present at Brandon from July 8 to August 11 BMCG;

Ladywalk from August 22 JEF to September 7 BLK, and at Alvecote on September 2 JEF. Three records such as these are most unusual, if indeed three birds were involved.

Moorhen

No changes reported.

Coot Warks Largest numbers reported were 50 at Compton Verney on

January 7; 75 at Middleton Hall on September 16; 370 at Shustoke on October 6; 1400 at Draycote on October 20; 103 in Sutton Park in November; 975 at Alvecote on November 10; 850 at Bodymoor Heath on December 9.

Worcs 150 counted at Bittell on February 19; 84 at Upton Warren on August 4 ; 100 at Westwood Park during November and December.

Staffs 821 present at Blithfield on January 13; 1000 at Belvide on August 11 ; 1000 at Copmere on November 24; 100 at Bridgtown sub-sidence pools on December 22; 177 at Himley on December 28; a little over 400 reported by many observers at Cannock reservoir throughout December represents a distinct increase over recent years. A pair with three small young seen at Tillington Marshes on November 21 PAK.

Oystercatcher Warks At Draycote 9 present on January 3, one on 4 and another on

May 5. Heard over Priors Hardwick on March 15, and at Bodymoor Heath single birds noted on May 5, July 3 and December 1. Two noted on the River Tame at Kingsbury on July 3 and one fed on the sports ground of the Fusiliers' Barracks in Sutton Coldfield from August 25 to 30. 4 reported at Leaming-ton Spa reservoir on December 2.

Worcs A bird noted at Bittell on January 21 and November 11 ; at Wilden on April 14; and at Upton Warren on October 21.

Staffs Two recorded at Blithfield on February 4 and another from July 22 to August 4. At Cannock reservoir one seen from April 2 to 8 ; one at Rudyard Lake on May 19 and at Belvide on May 29.

BOOKING FORM To: The Box Office, The Town Hall, Birmingham

(Telephone 021-236-2392)

Please send me the following tickets for the RSPB MIDLANDS PREMIERE of the 1975 RSPB films at Birmingham Town Hall on Monday, 14th April, 1975, at 7.30 p.m.

7.30 p.m. performance tickets @ 70p

tickets @ 60p

tickets @ 50p

tickets @ 40p

I enclose £ and SAE for the return of tickets

I understand that no application will be

dealt with before 20th January, 1975

Name

Address

Telephone

The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds The Lodge, Sandy, Bedfordshire. SG19 2DL

38

Lapwing Warks Largest flocks were 3-4,000 in Tame Valley on January 21 ; 800

at Shustoke on January 31 ; on February 4 800 counted at Brandon and 1500 at Alvecote; 1500 noted at Bodymoor Heath on June 30; 2500 at Ladywalk on July 22; 800 at Draycote on September 15.

Worcs 500 reported at Westwood on January 27 and 1000 at Bittell on November 15.

Staffs 1000 noted at Shelfield on February 3 ; 1000 at Whittington Sewage farm during autumn; 2000 at Belvide on September 8 ; 1200 at Blithfield on September 26; 1000 at Drayton Bassett on December 26.

Ringed Plover Warks Single birds noted at Earlswood on February 19; Hartshill on April

23; and Sutton Park on May 13. At Draycote one noted on January 2 and then up to 4 during April and May and from August 4 to October 7. At Alvecote one or two noted from March 19 to 26, 2 on May 19, and from August 18 to September 19 with 9 on September 17. Single birds noted at Ladywalk on March 25, September 4 and October 14. At Brandon recorded from April 25 to May 13, with 4 on the latter date, and 1 from July 29 to August 5. Following one on May 2 at Packington gravel pits, up to 4 noted from August 22 to October 3. Up to 9 recorded at Bodymoor Heath between May 14 and June 13, and up to 10 from July 31 to September 23.

Worcs Small numbers, up to six, recorded regularly at Bittell between August 9 and September 17 with 22 present on September 9. One or two noted at Upton Warren from April 19 to May 20 and from August 22 to September 3.

Staffs Reported at Cannock reservoir from March 24 to June 13 with 34 on May 14, and from J uly 16 to September 19 with 10 on September 10. At Belvide noted from March 27 to May 13 with 20 on April 18, and then 5 from August 19 to October 8. At Blithfield present between July 14 and October 21 with peak in second half of September and 45 on September 17. Other records, all single birds, were from Lady Edge on May 12; Brocton on May 25; Elford gravel pit on August 20 and 21 ; Brierley Hill on September 7 ; Rudyard Lake on September 21.

Little Ringed Plover Warks Two pairs bred at Brandon, 4 at Middleton, 2 at Little Packington,

3 at Meriden, 3 at Bodymoor Heath and 3 at Ladywalk. Up to 4 birds recorded at Alvecote between April 21 and mid-June, and from August 13 to September 17. At Draycote up to 3 noted from July 5 to September 16.

39

Worcs One or two noted at Upton Warren from April 11 to September 5. One present at Sambourne on April 23; 2 or 3 at Wilden from July 14 to August 13, and 2 at Bittell on September 7.

Staffs Breeding records from Essington, Four Ashes (2 pairs), Brocton, Pottal Pool, Cannock reservoir, Tittesworth, Lawley quarry. Present also at Rugeley gravel pit, Stretton settling beds, Brierley Hill Pools, and display seen at Bridgtown subsidence pools on May 12. Two noted at Latherford on April 16. At Cannock reservoir up to 6 recorded between April 9 and September 30. At Belvide one present from April 21 to 25 and then 4 or 5 from July 11 to 14. Very poor passage at Blithfield where up to 6 noted between July 2 and September 29. Up to 4 reported from Elford gravel pit from August 20 to 28.

Grey Plover Warks Two seen at Hartshill on January 7; 2 at Bodymoor Heath on

May 20; 1 at Alvecote from September 9 to 17; 3 at Draycote on September 19.

Worcs One noted at Bittell on September 23 and December 8. Staffs At Belvide one reported on May 5; 2 noted at Cannock reservoir

on September 10 and then one until September 28 when again 2 were seen. At Belvide one present on September 13, 3 on September 23, one then until October 3 and a final bird on October 17.

Golden Plover Warks Largest gatherings were 1000 in Middleton area from February 4

to 11 and 300 at Attleborough on December 23. Worcs 100 noted over Goosehill Wood on January 21. Staffs Several pairs present on North Staffordshire moors in summer.

Largest concentrations reported were 500 at Water Eaton on January 14; 300 at Essington from March 23 to April 14; 700 near Penkridge on March 31 ; 300 at Alrewas on April 21 ; 300 at Werrington on October 21 ; 300 at Pillaton on October 28; 300 at Drayton Bassett on December 26.

Turnstone Warks One flew over Bodymoor Heath on August 14. Worcs One present at Upton Warren on April 27 and three at Bittell on

September 11. Staffs At Cannock reservoir 2 reported on May 6, 3 on May 10, 2 until

19 with a last bird on 20th. Then one present from August 4 to 7 with 2 until August 10. At Blithfield one recorded on July 11, 10 on August 22 ARD, 6 on August 25 GIG and 3 on October 28.

40

Snipe Warks Highest concentrations were 50 at Alvecote on January 3-5 ; 20

at Bodymoor Heath on January 8; 200 at Middleton on February 4 when 60 counted at Ladywalk; 20 at Clifford Chambers on March 18; 35 at Packington on August 18; 40 at Brandon on September 22; 30 at Draycote on October 13.

Worcs 80 counted at Wilden on September 6; 33 at Upton Warren on September 9; 43 at Bittell on October 22.

Staffs 50 at Rickerscote on February 18; 150 at Latherford on March 21 ; high numbers at Blithfield from mid-September, peaking at 204 on October 10; 40 at Belvide on October 20; 150 at Doxey Marshes through November and December; 205 at Whittington sewage farm in November; 43 at Cannock reservoiron November 1.

Jack Snipe Warks One or two noted in winter at Sutton Park, Brandon, Ladywalk,

Draycote, Bodymoor Heath, Little Packington, and up to 4 at Packington Park and Leamington Spa reservoir.

Worcs Single birds noted during winter at Salwarpe Canal and Northwick marsh, up to 3 at Bittell, up to 6 at Upton Warren, and 5 at Wilden.

Staffs Odd birds noted at Brierley Hill, Westport Lake, Wheaton-Aston and Doxey Marshes. 7 counted at Blithfield on September 22; 6 at Belvide on October 20; 16 at Cannock reservoir on Nov-ember 2.

Woodcock Roding and summer records from the following localities:—

Warks Honiley, Oakley Wood, Packington, Kingsbury, Woodend, Bentley. Worcs Trench Wood, Randan Wood, Goosehill Wood, Eyemore Wood,

Wyre Forest, Kyre. Staffs Kinver, Enville, Highgate Common, Check Hill, Stourton, Gothers-

ley, Ridgehill Wood, Weston Park, Chillington, Wrottesley, Boscobel, Himley, Brocton, Brindley Heath, Pye Green, Sherbrook Valley, Bagots Wood, Stableford, Swynmerton, Patshull, Loynton Moss.

Curlew Warks Twenty-two present at Ladywalk on August 15. Worcs Birds roosted on flash pools at Upton Warren during March,

reaching a maximum of 70 at the end of the month. Staffs At Whittington sewage farm up to 138 present in August and

September, dropping to 50 until December 29 when 100 counted.

41

Whimbrel Warks Calls heard over north Birmingham on night of May 11. At

Bodymoor Heath one seen on May 5, two on May 24 and another on September 5. At Brandon two noted on August 5 and five on August 6, on which date two were recorded at Ladywalk. Three appeared at Alvecote on August 11.

Worcs At Upton Warren three recorded on May 21 and August 5. One seen at Wilden on September 2.

Staffs At Cannock reservoir single birds noted from April 27 to May 1, from May 14 to 19, on August 5, 21 to 22, and September 10. Five reported at Trentham Lake on April 27 HH. At Blithfield one recorded on July 14, three on August 5, one from August 17 to 21, two on September 2 and 16, with a last bird on September 22. Single birds noted at Tittesworth on August 10, Cannock Chase on August 18 and Belvide on August 27.

Black-tailed Godwit Warks At Brandon two occurred on April 19, four on April 29 and one

from September 9 to 22. A bird recorded at Alvecote on April 6. Worcs One present at Upton Warren on March 17 and 18. Staffs At Belvide one noted on April 12 and two on April 26. One

reported at Blithfield on July 11 and August 26.

Bar-tailed Godwit Warks Single birds occurred at Coton gravel pit on August 26 and at

Draycote on September 19. Worcs At Upton Warren one seen on May 4 and three on July 22. One

noted at Bittell on December 21. Staffs One present at Belvide on April 24 and May 5, with one at

Cannock reservoir on May 10. At Blithfield one reported on August 5, three on September 12, decreasing to two on 1 5 and one on 22.

Green Sandpiper Warks Winter records from Brandon, Draycote, Leamington Spa, Meriden,

Ladywalk, Middleton, Bodymoor Heath, Hurley and Kingsbury. Largest numbers recorded were seven at Ladywalk in second half of July and on October 7; seven at Brandon from July 22 to August 11 ; six at Packington gravel pits from August 23 to 25; seven at Bodymoor Heath on September 16.

Worcs Winter records from Caunsall, Wilden, Arrow Lake and Ipsley Alders. Highest totals were eight at Upton Warren on July 21 ; six at Wilden from August 11 to 17; five at Bittell on September 10.

42

Staffs Winter records from Patshall and Blithfield. Spring records from Blithfield and Belvide. Maximum at Blithfield was seven on August 22 and at Elford gravel pit six on September 19.

Wood Sandpiper Another rather poor year.

Warks Three reported at Ladywalk on July 16 and one at Brandon on August 11.

Worcs At Upton Warren one present from May 16 to 19, one from August 16 to 21, and two on the unusual date of October 10 SMW.

Staffs At Cannock reservoir one noted on May 29. At Blithfield four occurred on July 14; one on August 25, two on September 7, and then one from September 21 to 30 but with two on the evening of 23.

Common Sandpiper Common and widespread passage migrant in small numbers, though many observers commented on poor passage this year.

Warks Two noted at Edgbaston Park on May 17. Various maxima were 10 at Draycote on May 1 with up to nine in August; 3 at Bartley on July 16 when 11 seen at Alvecote; three at Brandon on Augut 4 ; five at Bodymoor Heath on August 26; eight at Ladywalk from August 22 to 30; five at Packington gravel pit on September 9; five at Shustoke on September 30.

Worcs Ten counted at Upton Warren from August 2 to 4 ; six at Bittell on August 30; 15 at Wilden on September 1.

Staffs At Blithfield one recorded on January 14, autumn maximum was 21 on July 8, and then one recorded to at least December 30. At Cannock reservoir peak numbers were 10 on July 16 and August 6 and again here one or two were present until at least December 29. Maximum at Belvide was eight on September 18.

Redshank Warks Breeding reports from Ladywalk, Meriden, Alvecote, Brandon,

Bodymoor Heath. Wintered in small numbers in Tame Valley with maximum of eight at Shustoke on January 31 and six at Ladywalk during January. Other maxima were 10 at Shustoke on February 28; 10 at Brandon on March 28, where one recorded until December 8 ; 10 at Alvecote on March 31 ; 25 at Bodymoor Heath on July 11 ; two recorded at Draycote on December 16.

Worcs Up to five noted on passage during March at Upton Warren and one pair bred. Maximum at Bittell was five on December 9 and two birds remained until end of year.

43

Staffs Breeding records from Bottomhouse, Chillington, Baswich, Belvide, Landywood, Four Ashes, Whittington sewage farm and Rickerscote. Winter reports from Rickerscote on January 14; Cannock reservoir on January 15 and 16; Belvide on December 15 and up to four at Blithfield until December 30. Passage numbers were very small, the only concentration being at Belvide where up to 10 were recorded on several dates in spring.

Spotted Redshank At Draycote one reported on April 11, and then up to four regu-larly from August 25 to October 19 with six on September 16. One in full summer plumage noted at Ladywalk from June 17 to 23, then another from August 17 to 22, five on September 27, one on 30 and two on November 15. At Bodymoor Heath one seen on June 23, probably the Ladywalk bird, and then up to five seen until November 14, the peak being seven on September 20. One present at Brandon on August 27 and September 21. One or two recorded at Alvecote from August 27 to September 25, with six on the last date. Two occurred at Meriden gravel pits on September 1, and at Packington gravel pits reported from September 9 increasing to nine on September 12. Up to seven noted at Wilden between August 26 and September 9. Present at Upton Warren between August 21 and September 15, usually up to three, but with six late in the evening on September 2 and 3. On August 22 two watched catching fish between one and one and a half inches long, and were seen to up end when swimming like a duck TA W. Single birds recorded at Belvide on May 5, September 11 and 17. Present at Blithfield between August 23 and November 4, with three or four for most of September. At Cannock reservoir four occurred on September 12 and one on September 23.

Greenshank Warks At Bodymoor Heath one present from May 2 to 25 and up to

three between July 16 and November 11. One reported at Ladywalk on May 24 and then one or two from July 29 to October 1. Single birds seen at Brandon on May 20, July 22 and October 7. One occurred at Meriden on July 17 and after one on July 16 at Alvecote, another seen between September 8 and October 1. Present at Draycote from July 16 to November 7, usually up to five, but with 10-12 in September and October. At Packington gravel pits up to three noted from August 22 to September 16. Single birds recorded at Priors Hardwick on September 16 and at Bartley reservoir on October 8.

Warks

Worcs

Staffs

44

Worcs One present from April 24 to May 19 at Wilden, and then noted between July 14 and September 16 with nine on August 23. At Upton Warren a bird recorded on April 28, and up to six seen from August 20 to September 9. Up to three noted at Arrow Lake during August and September; one at Westwood on September 2 ; single birds at Bittell from September 2 to 10 and on November 10. On September 18 one heard over Norton.

Staffs One reported at Kings Bromley on April 14; one at Cannock reservoir on April 25, followed by one from August 17 to 23 and between September 6 and 15. At Belvide one or two occurred from May 2 to 19 and from August 2 to September 2. One seen at Elford gravel pit on May 7, August 28 and September 19. At Blithfield present from July 7 to October 14, usually about three, but up to nine on occasions; and 15 on September 16. Two seen at Tittesworth on August 24 and one at Rudyard from September 12 to 21.

Purple Sandpiper Warks One identified at Brandon on September 29 BMCG.

Little Stint Very strong autumn passage.

Warks At Bodymoor Heath two reported on May 20, two on August 1, and then small numbers between September 4 and October 19 with a maximum of seven on September 19. One noted at Alvecote on May 18 and 19 and then present between September 9 and 30 with seven on September 18 and 19. At Ladywalk single

45

birds occurred on July 31, October 14 and 15, with three later on November 3. Present at Brandon between September 12 and October 31, peaking in late September with 11 on September 29. At Draycote noted from September 13 to October 25, usually three or four but with six on September 27. One or two seen at Packington gravel pit from September 25 to October 8.

Worcs One seen at Upton Warren from July 31 to August 4 and from September 8 to 11. One or two present at Bittell from September 16 to 26, with four on September 17; then a most unusual record of five much later on December 1 MAB MCC. At Wilden one reported on September 23.

Staffs At Cannock reservoir one seen on May 14 and 15, two on September 25 and 26 and then three on the late date of November 21 TECP. First noted at Blithfield on September 11, after which numbers quickly rose to peak at 26 on September 24. Small numbers then remained until the late date of November 4. Two or three recorded at Belvide from September 20 until October 13.

Knot Warks At Packington gravel pit five seen on May 19, one still present on

May 20. One noted at Bodymoor Heath on September 23. Staffs One present at Cannock reservoir from January 4 to 16, one on

July 25, two on November 26 and one on December 2. At Blithfield one recorded on July 11, August 5 and 19. Then up to three present from September 9 to October 3 with seven on September 20.

Temminck's Stint Warks Single birds reported at Bodymoor Heath on May 13 EAH RJJ

HTL; Alvecote on September 9 DEJ per GAA; Brandon on September 27 BMCG.

Worcs One present at Wilden from April 29 to May 1 MHB EGP, and at Upton Warren on May 15AWH.

Pectoral Sandpiper Warks One reported by many observers at Draycote from August 30 to

September 18, and another on October 4 DNM. Worcs One present at Wilden on September 4 EGP and was seen by

several observers until September 17 SPH. Staffs Two occurred at Blithfield on August 29 ARD and were seen by

many observers until September 5 ESC, after which one remained until September 15 GIG.

46

Dunlin

An outstanding autumn for this species. Warks Following one at Bodymoor Heath on February 4, noted from

April 6 to June 14 with eight on June 13. Autumn passage covered July 29 to October 22 with a maximum of 21 on Sept-ember 16, with a later record of two on December 1. At Ladywalk single birds noted on March 4 and May 5, and then one or two from July 22 until the peak of four on October 15. Up to seven seen at Packington gravel pits from March 27 to May 20, and present between August 9 and November 17 with 12 on Nov-ember 7. One reported at Meriden on August 25 and November 18, three at Shustoke on October 6, and one in Sutton Park from November 3 to 17. One or two present at Alvecote from March 18 to April 30, and small numbers from August 16 to November 26 with a maximum of 12 on September 14. At Earlswood Lakes one reported on April 22 Single birds at Leamington Spa reservoir on four dates in spring and autumn. At Draycote one or two reported from January 2 to March 18 and from July 10 to December 30, usually about 10 but up to 20 in late September and early October. Only spring record at Brandon was one on March 17 and then recorded between July 22 and December 25, usually between 20 and 30 but with 49 on November 4.

Worcs At Bittell 10 reported on January 21, and then present from August 24, usually about six until early November when numbers rose as the water level fell, reaching a maximum of 41 at the end of the month; 21 were still present on December 31. Up to three present at Upton Warren from March 17 to June 3 apart from seven on May 4, and also between July 17 and December 27 with five on July 27. One present at Wilden from August 11 to 26.

Staffs At Cannock reservoir present from January 1 to June 10, usually between 10 and 20, but with 26 on January 10. Return passage noted from July 17 with up to 10 until September 28, apart from 16 on September 18. Further birds from October 27 until end of year, usually less than 20 but with 24 on November 24. At Belvide up to 10 reported from January 1 to May 5 and a flock of 45 moved west May 13. Up to seven then present from August 14 to December 16. At Blithfield the wintering flock remained until February 4, reaching a maximum of 41 on January 13. Autumn passage noted from July 11, small numbers being present until mid-September when a rapid increase occurred to more than 150 throughout October. A sharp rise at the beginning of November gave the exceptional maximum of 260 on November 4, after which a flock of between 50 and 60 remained until the end of

47

the year. Five reported at Trentside, Stoke on May 1. Two recorded at Elford gravel pits on August 20; up to five at Tittes-worth from September 5 to November 3 ; four at Rudyard Lake on September 21 ; one flew over Leek on November 5.

Curlew Sandpiper Warks One reported at Packington gravel pits on May 2. One at Lady-

walk on August 5. Up to five noted at Brandon from September 16 to October 11. One or two seen at Draycote between October 7 and 11.

Worcs Two identified at Bittell on September 6. Staffs Present at Blithfield from August 10 to October 14, with at least

12 for most of late September and 22 on September 17 JL TWF.

Sanderling Warks Single birds reported at Draycote on May 5 and October 13; at

Bodymoor Heath on May 19; and at Bartley on October 3. Worcs At Bittell two noted on September 19 and three on December 1,

one staying until December 15. Staffs As usual this species was attracted to Cannock reservoir where up

to seven were seen regularly between April 28 and June 10 with an isolated peak of 17 on May 13 ARMB. Two or three present from August 2 to 29 with eight on August 6. One reported at Blithfield on April 24 and three on September 29.

Ruff Warks At Alvecote up to three noted from March 25 to April 9, and

present from August 13 to September 19 with a peak of 11 from September 25 to 27. One reported at Bodymoor Heath on April 24 and from June 8 to 10, and one or two from August 21 to October 1. One or two seen at Ladywalk from July 15 to August 17 with 12 on July 29. Up to three seen at Marston from July 22 to August 28. One or two at Packington between August 15 and October 3 apart from a flock of 16 moving through on September 19 BLK. Present at Draycote from July 14 to October 9, usually less than four, but with 10 on September 8. At Brandon six recorded on March 18, one on May 5 and small numbers from August 4 to September 5 with most in late August and 16 on August 11. One occurred at Coombe Abbey on August 31 ; two at Leamington Spa reservoir on August 26.

Worcs At Upton Warren single birds reported on January 5 MAB, March 10, April 24 and June 6. One or two then noted from July 29 to September 8 with four on September 2 and 3. One present at Wilden from August 23 to September 23, and one at Grimley gravel pits on August 25. One or two seen at Bittell from August 26 to September 17 with four on September 9.

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Staffs Three noted at Stretton Mill Pool on March 24 and three seen flying near Pelsall on April 13. At Cannock reservoir one or two present on most days from July 30 to September 20 with four on September 18. Following oneat Belvidefrom March 15 to 21, upto five recorded from September 1 to October 13. One noted at Milford on September 12. Present at Blithfield from July 11 to November 11, with about 10 in late September and early October and 15 from September 16 to 20.

Avocet Warks Two at Brandon from April 10 to 12 BMCG. One at Draycote on

November 1 RSK per RB. Worcs One noted at Upton Warren on April 27 AFJ. Staffs One flew N N E over Old Acre Valley on October 6 CR DS.

Grey Phalarope Warks One reported at Leamington Spa reservoir on October 7 EJB. Staffs One seen at Blithfield on October 21 ESC.

Red-necked Phalarope Staffs One recorded at Blithfield on September 12 BCG.

Great Skua

Staffs One identified at Cannock reservoir on October 12. AJD

Arctic Skua Far more records than usual.

Warks A light-phase bird seen at the gull roost at Brandon on September 12,13 and 21 BMCG.

49

Staffs At Cannock reservoir an unprecendented record of seven together on August 21, comprising two light phase, four dark phase and one juvenile, eventually leaving to the east RAH. An immature recorded on September 7 also left for the east GE, and one on September 19 flew NW RAH. Two skuas flying south-west over Baggeridge on September 3 were thought to be of this species MJH. A light phase bird noted at Blithfield on September 2— many observers, September 12 BCG and two on September 20 PBT. An immature recorded on November 25—many observers, and December 8 BCG. An immature occurred at Belvide on October 3 DS.

Great Black-backed Gull Warks Largest numbers reported were 50 at Bartley during April; 25 at

Packington gravel pits on August 9; 12 at Brandon on October 11 ; 50 at Draycote on November 17.

Worcs Ten seen at Bittell on September 28. Staffs Small numbers at several waters in winter months. At Blithfield

up to 30 noted at both ends of the year with at least 50 on December 30.

Lesser Black-backed Gull Warks Summer flock on tips at Little Packington reached 1400 in June,

and 1500 counted on August 9. Up to 2000 at Ladywalk from early August to October. At Draycote roost 10,000 counted on November 11, and 3000 at Shustoke on November 21. Roost at Bartley estimated at 2000 in December.

Worcs Maxima reported were 300 at Westwood on January 24; 100 at Bittell on November 30 and 30 at Wilden on December 15. The Bittell roost is considered very poor now compared with a few years ago KC.

Staffs Maximum reported from Belvide was only 200 on September 2. At Cannock reservoir 3500 roosted on January 21 and from September onwards roost regularly exceeded 2000 before dusk with birds still arriving after dark. Highest count actually made was 2200 on September 25. Roost at Blithfield held most Lesser Black-backed Gulls in November as usual with 5000 counted on November 18.

Herring Gull Warks 500 present at Little Packington on August 10; 5000 at Draycote

on November 11 and 400 at Bartley on December 5. Worcs 350 recorded at Westwood on January 24 and 1000, a good

total, at Bittell on December 31.

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Staffs 1300 counted at Belvide roost on January 14. On January 21 1600 estimated at Blithfield and 3500 at Cannock reservoir, with at least 2000 roosting at the latter water on December 31 and birds still arriving after dark.

Common Gull Warks Small numbers seen during autumn and winter at several localities.

Largest numbers at Draycote with 75 on January 1 5. Worcs Largest gathering was the wintering flock of 20 at Northwick

marsh. Staffs Small numbers at many localities. 60 counted at Whittington

sewage farm on August 4. Maxima at the reservoirs were 30 at Blithfield on January 14; 40 at Belvide on March 27 and 15 at Cannock in late December.

Glaucous Gull Warks On January 2 one seen at Draycote and two watched over

Kenilworth bypass CHP. Worcs A third winter bird present at Bittell on December 14 and 15 KC

MWC. Staffs An immature first seen on January 3 at Cannock reservoir RAH

appeared sickly and was eventually found dead on January 14 DS. An adult bird noted on February 16 PBT and 24 DS. At Blithfield a near adult bird seen on January 28 ESC JEF EGP and February 10 BCG; a first winter bird and an adult seen by several observers on March 4 ; an adult noted on March 17 DS; a first winter bird recorded by several observers on December 30.

Iceland Gull

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Staffs At Cannock reservoir an adult seen by many observers from January 5 to 28; a first winter bird noted on February 22 and another adult on February 24 DS; a sub-adult seen on several dates from December 23 RAH to December 29 JEF; an adult recorded between December 28 GE RAH and December 31 ESC RAH EGP. One noted at Hatherton on January 11 BCG and a second winter bird at Wednesfield rubbish tip on March 13 and 14 DS. An adult roosted at Belvide between March 15 and 27 DS PBT ICW. At Blithfield the exceptional number of three together (two adults and one second winter) occurred on February 11 (many observers); an adult recorded on February 24 ARMB; a second winter bird on February 25—several observers; an adult on March 15 JRH; two adults on March 17 DS; one adult on March 18—many observers; one on March 31 NJd'A. One reported on December 29 BCG and 30—several observers.

Mediterranean Gull Staffs An immature identified at Cannock reservoir on May 5 ARMB.

Larger and heavier than Black-headed Gull, with broader more rounded wings. Mantle and wing coverts brownish grey; primaries blackish with distinct whitish patch at base of inner primaries; secondaries paler than primaries and tipped black; dark patch behind eye, dark tail band and heavy dark bill. Third record for the Club's area and the third consecutive year in which this species has occurred.

Little Gull Warks Single birds noted at Draycote from April 27 RB to May 6 DNM,

from August 4 to 11 DMB GRH CHP, and on September 20 DNM. At Bodymoor Heath one noted from May 10 RJJ BLK with two on May 13 EAH RJJ HTL, and one on July 12 TD BLK. One reported at Leamington Spa reservoir on November 11 EJB.

Worcs At Upton Warren one recorded on April 25 GB and one seen by many observers from August 21 AFJ YMW to 28 SPH. Single immatures present at Bittell on April 26 MAB and at Arrow Lake on September 4 and 5 AJR.

Staffs At Blithfield one seen from March 27 RAH to April 8 (many observers); one on July 29 ESC ; three on August 13 RAH YMW, two remaining until August 19 and one to August 24 FCG. At Belvide two present on April 28 GE; three seen from April 29 to May 1 and one from May 12 to 1 5 (several observers); one on June 6 DS; two on September 15 (several observers). One noted at Cannock reservoir on October 6 ARMB CR DS.

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Black-headed Gull Warks Between 70,000 and 100,000 estimated roosting at Draycote

during January and November. Autumn roost at Brandon was usually 1000; 2500 counted at Alvecote on August 18; 4000 at Bodymoor Heath on October 19; 8000 at Shustoke on November 7 ; 2000 at Bartley on December 5.

Worcs 5500 counted at Bittell roost on January 8 and 3600 at Westwood Park on January 21.

Staffs 150 to 180 pairs present at Doley Common during breeding season. Maximum counts at roosts were 8000 at Cannock reservoir on January 21 ; 12000 at Belvide on March 15; 1500 at Copmere on December 15; 18000 at Blithfield on December 28.

Kitt iwake Staffs At Cannock reservoir one recorded on April 2 RAH and an excep-

tionally tame individual on August 2 and 3 (several observers). Seven reported at Blithfield on August 9 and one on October 2 BCG; one seen by many observers on November 25.

Black Tern Warks At Bodymoor Heath passage noted from May 4 to May 28 with a

maximum of 10 on May 27, then two or three reported from June 23 to July 5 and from September 2 to 17. Four present at Draycote on May 18 and up to six from August 5 to September 23. 13 noted at Alvecote on May 27 and one or two from August 16 until seven on August 31.

Worcs At Upton Warren one present from April 25 until six on May 3, one noted from August 21 to 29 and one or two from September 16 to 18. Three occurred at Bittell on May 5 and two from September 19 to 24. One reported at Wilden on May 19. At Westwood one seen on May 20, three on May 26, and up to four during September.

Staffs One or two recorded at Belvide from May 4 to 28, and between August 11 and September 19. At Cannock reservoir three present on May 27, four on May 28, one on July 16, two or three from August 2 to 28 and a final bird on September 19. Recorded on many dates at Blithfield from August 1, usually less than six, but with eight on August 18 and from September 26 to the last date of September 30. Three reported at Rudyard an August 23 and one or two at Trentham Lake on September 24 and 25.

White-winged Black Tern Staffs One recorded at Blithfield on September 20 and 21 was identified

by contrast of white rump with grey mantle and dirty-white squarish tail, lack of dark shoulder mark and brighter red legs PBT.

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Caspian Tern Staffs One identified at Cannock reservoir on October 14 by large size,

huge red bill, dark underside to primaries and shallow forked tail ARMB.

Common Tern Warks Two pairs made unsuccessful attempt to breed at Bodymoor

Heath, the eggs of one pair being taken. At Alvecote one noted on April 22, three on May 27 and two on June 16. One or two reported at Little Packington on June 8, June 27 and September 18 and 19. Three present at Brandon on June 16, two at Packing-ton Park on July 28, one at Coombe Abbey on August 31 and one at Shustoke on September 5. Up to four seen at Draycote throughout most of September.

Worcs - At Bittell 20 recorded on April 26 MAB, four from May 6 to 28, and one or two from August 16 to September 22. Noted at Upton Warren between May 3 and 5 with seven on May 4 and then one present from July 11 to 13 and another on August 30. At Westwood one occurred on May 6 and three on June 16.

Staffs Up to four recorded at Cannock reservoir from May 1 to June 22, apart from seven on May 29. Then recorded between July 16 and September 22 with a maximum of seven on September 11. At Belvide, following one on April 29, up to four noted from May 9 to 24, and up to three between July 1 and September 2. At Blithfield one or two reported from April 29 to May 7 and from June 3 to July 1, followed by one or two, occasionally six, from August 1 to September 24 with a later bird on October 13 and 14. At Rudyard three or four recorded from May 5 to 20 and on September 4 and 5. One or two present at Trentham on June 14, July 11 and from September 10 to 18. One seen at Smithpool on August 23.

Arctic Tern Warks At Draycote seven seen on April 27 and two on September 2.

One present at Earlswood Lakes on May 5; two at Salford Park on June 27; one at Bodymoor Heath on September 23; one at Shustoke from October 6 to 10.

Worcs Eight noted at Bittell on May 3, one still present on May 12; two seen on June 18 and on September 22. One recorded at Upton Warren on August 21.

Staffs Up to six noted at Cannock reservoir from April 22 to June 22, and one or two between July 18 and September 22 apart from 11 on July 28. At Belvide 16 counted on April 24, one or two from April 28 to May 1, at least 14 on May 5, four on May 29 and one on July 28. One or two recorded at Blithfield from August 4 to

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September 23 with 13 on August 18. One reported at Trentham Lake on April 23; one at Brierley Hill on August 15; three at Rudyard on August 22; one at Gailey on September 10 and one at Tittesworth on September 17.

Common/Arctic Tern Many records involving one or two birds. Reports of larger numbers as follows:—

Warks 90 at Draycote on May 5 DNM with 12 on July 28. Staffs At Cannock reservoir 11 noted on May 5, 14 on May 10 and 13 on

August 12. 35 noted at Belvide on May 5, and at Blithfield 12 seen on May 12 with 14 on May 20. The majority of birds in the May records were considered to be Arctic Terns.

Roseate Tern Warks One recorded at Coombe Abbey on August 31 CHP.

Little Tern Warks Two at Draycote on September 22 DNM RBR. Staffs Single birds noted at Blithfield on May 6 and 7 and on July 8—

several observers, and another on September 22 BCG GIG. One seen at Cannock reservoir on May 10 ARMB. Sandwich Tern

Staffs Two birds recorded at Cannock reservoir on August 23 and on September 11 RAH.

Stock Dove Warks Largest concentrations reported were 10 at Draycote on January

14; nine at Shustoke on March 2; 14 at Little Packington on March 14 and 64 at Milcote on December 27.

Staffs At Blithfield several flocks totalling at least 60 birds seen on March 17 and 60 recorded on December 22.

Woodpigeon Largest numbers reported were:—

Warks 250 at Draycote on March 3; 250 near Shuttington on March 14; 300 at Alvecote on December 15, on which date 1000 counted in Sutton Park and thought to roost in Tamworth area.

Worcs Up to 1000 estimated in Bittell area at both ends of the year. Staffs 200 noted at Himley on March 9 and 200 at Gailey on December 2.

Turtle Dove Many reports of one or two birds suggest quite widespread distribution. No concentrations reported.

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Collared Dove Very well distributed in all counties.

Warks 20 seen in Sutton Park on May 2; 15 in Hall Green on December17. Worcs Ten pairs located at Norton and eight at Wollaston. Twenty-five

seen at Upton-on-Severn on June 9. Twenty in Bittell area during November.

Staffs Six pairs at Wall Heath with roost of 30. Roost of 30 at Whitting-ton sewage farm on August 11. 36 seen at Tixall on October 30 and 47 at Oldhill on December 31.

Cuckoo Warks Reported to be more common in Brandon area with eight seen on

May 29. Usual numbers in Tame Valley with four at Bodymoor Heath on May 28.

Staffs Increase reported in Cannock Chase area and four seen at Cannock reservoir on June 12.

Barn Owl Warks Reported from Selly Oak, Hockley Heath, Ladywalk, Bodymoor

Heath, Hurley, Kingsbury, Whitacre, Dunton, Maxhall, Lea Marston, Packington, Long Itchington, Marston Doles, Alvecote, Wilnecote, Wilmcote.

Worcs Only record received is of one at Blackwell on January 24' More information for this county required.

Staffs Records received from Belvide, Blithfield, Wood Green, Little Wyrley, Kingswinsford, Bobbington, Kinver, Enville, Shoal Hill, Handsacre, Blithbury, Swallow Moss, Weston Park, Pendeford, Bucknall, Pipe Ridware, Eccleshall, Gnosall, Drayton Bassett, Wrottesley, Tixall.

Little Owl Warks Reports from Draycote, Packington, Coleshill, Ladywalk, Alvecote,

Shuckburgh, Clifford Chambers, Wilmcote, Milcote, Billesley, Walton, Long Marston, Wormleighton, Drayton, Moreton Morrell, Rugby. Breeding reports from Leamington, Hurley, Bentley, Woodend, Whitacre, Bodymoor Heath.

Worcs Reports from Droitwich, Hanbury, Wilden, Pirton, Halesowen; three seen on Tenbury Wells road where seven noted in previous year. Breeding reported from Upton Warren.

Staffs Reports received from Blithfield, Rugeley, Roaches, Edingale, Essington, Whittington sewage farm, Himley, Latherford, Bickford, Water Eaton, Mitton, Handsacre, Flash, Hamstall Ridware, Newcastle. Breeding records from Tittensor and Gnosall.

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Tawny Owl Warks Reported from West Heath, Packington, Shustoke, Alvecote,

Four Oaks, Exhall, Arbury, Ufton Fields. Breeding noted at Sutton Park, Leamington Spa, Hurley, Woodend, Kingsbury, Middleton. Maxhall and Ladywalk.

Worcs Records from Halesowen, Westwood and Wilden. Breeding reported at Northfield and West Hagley.

Staffs Reports from Blithfield, Sherbrook Valley and Barton-under-Needwood. Breeding recorded at Gailey, Walsall and Wilbrighton.

Long-eared Owl Warks One caught and ringed in February at Hopwas LG. Staffs Breeding reported from Cannock Chase JEF, five localities on

North Staffordshire Moors and Coombes valley MWa.

Short-eared Owl

Warks One seen at Draycote on July 18perRB, and from November 1 to 9 DMB GRH TWL. One seen at Bodymoor Heath on October 11 BLK, and at Brandon on November 4 and December 28 BMCG. One reported at Ufton Fields on November 15 EJB.

Worcs One seen at Bittell on December 1 SH PCTu and then on Lickeys on December 16 PCTu.

Staffs One recorded at Cannock reservoir on May 21 ARMB. Winter reports from Cannock Chase, Royal Cottage, Goldsitch Moss, Pillaton, Swallow Moss, Morridge. Spring or summer records from Goldsitch Moss, Swallow Moss, Morridge, Middle Hills, Flash, Leek and Roach End.

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Nightjar Staffs Two birds churring at Sherbrook Valley, one at Pye Green and

five at Brindley Heath. One reported at Kinver Edge, and another at Hanchurch.

Swi f t Warks Colonies in Tame Valley area considered to be slightly smaller

than previous year. 450 counted at Bodymoor Heath on June 10. Last seen over Wylde Green on August 1 ; movement noted over Sutton Coldfield from August 3 to 8; concentration of 200 at Alvecote on August 4 ; disappeared from Tame Valley on August 13.

Worcs 400 present at Wilden on August 7. Staffs 3000 over Belvide at dawn on June 3. 2000 concentrated at

Blithfield on August 4.

Alpine Swi f t

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Worcs One identified at Upton Warren on May 6, and watched at extremely close range PKD SFLE. Very much larger than Swift, and browner with white underparts and dark breast band. This record, coincident with several others in the country, is the first for the Club's area.

Kingfisher Warks Reported from 29 localities with breeding proven at Offchurch,

River Leam (two pairs), Brandon, Alvecote, Tame Valley (seven pairs), Meriden, Little Packington.

Worcs Reported from eleven localities excluding River Severn where considered to be very well established. Recorded at Majors Green where very unusual, and at Drakes Cross where not seen before DMT. Only breeding reports were from Bittell and Wolverley.

Staffs Reports received from 23 localities with breeding at Gothersley and an attempt at Belvide. Appears to be quite numerous around Blithfield though breeding not proven.

Hoopoe Worcs One reported at Dunley on June 23 per LRB. Staffs One seen in Weston Park on May 25 PGD.

Green Woodpecker No marked changes reported.

Staffs Reported from Back Forest and said to be pushing well up into the hills now.

Great Spotted Woodpecker Still well distributed ; no changes reported.

Lesser Spotted Woodpecker Warks Breeding season reports from Arbury, Brandon, Combrook,

Sutton Park and Leamington Spa. Worcs Noted in breeding season at Upton Warren, Hanbury Park, Kyre,

Wilden, West Hagley and Bittell. Staffs Reports in breeding season from Belvide, Blithfield, Bickford,

Wrottesley, Chillington and Keele.

Wryneck Worcs One seen in garden in West Hagley on September 27 per LRB. Staffs One present at Dunstall from October 2 to 9 BCG.

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Skylark Warks Seventy noted at Combrook on January 14; 50 present at Wilne-

cote on October 24 and at Alvecote on October 29. One in full song on February 20 over Aston Cross redevelopment area of Birmingham DMH.

Staffs Forty present at Little Aston sewage works during December; 100 seen at Drayton Bassett on December 26; 50 at Enville on December 30; 75 at Heath Hayes on December 31.

Swallow Warks About 50 watched mobbing a child's kite at Bedworth on

August 29 RKS. Roosts reported were 25000 at Bedworth in two sites during August and September; 5000 at Alvecote on September 6; 2000 at Little Packington on September 14; 3500 at Brandon during September.

Worcs 1000 moved south over Northwick Marsh in one hour on October 1. Staffs Highest counts at roosts were 3000 at Wetley Rocks on August 10;

1000 at Belvide on August 21 ; 5000 at Four Ashes on September 12 and 13; 4000 at Ford Green during September.

House Martin Warks 150 noted at Shustoke on September 16 and 1000 counted at

Draycote on September 27. Two nests with young in Erdington on September 19 GRA; young in nest at Longbridge on Sept-ember 22 GB; young being fed in nest in Sutton Park on Sept-ember 29 ME.

Staffs 160 at Cannock reservoir on August 24; several hundred at Blithfield on August 4 and September 21.

Sand Mart in Warks Very poor numbers reported in Tame Valley. Much smaller

numbers than usual at Alvecote. Worcs No large concentrations recorded. Staffs Numbers at the Staffordshire reservoirs unusually low.

Raven Worcs Two seen over Malvern Hills on March 10 DMT and one watched

being attacked by a Peregrine at Welland on December 28 CAN. Staffs One recorded at Whittington sewage farm on January 24 MSS.

Carrion Crow Warks 800 counted at Little Packington on June 11. Worcs Sixty seen near rubbish tip at Barnt Green on April 28. Staffs 1500 estimated at Bunker's Wood roost on February 18. 61

noted at Walton on June 27.

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Hooded Crow Warks On December 16, following heavy rain and gales, single birds

seen at Wolston CHP and Little Packington AJ. Staffs Present at Whittington sewage farm for third successive winter.

One seen on gamekeeper's gibbet at Bunker's Wood on February 18 and observer told that at least five had been shot in crow roost there MSS.

Rook Warks Over 200 noted flying NNW over Wilnecote to roost on December

11 and 18.

Staffs At least 300 counted at Patshull roost on December 27.

Jackdaw Warks 150 counted at Little Packington on October 13. Worcs A partial albino bird with cream instead of usual grey head

seen for several months at beginning of year near Hasbury BB. Staffs Colony of 50 seen in caves at Wolfscote Dale on May 6. 1200

seen at Bunkers Wood roost on February 18. Magpie Several records of birds visiting or nesting in gardens for first time in observers' experience.

Warks 150 was maximum at Edgbaston park winter roost. Ten recorded at Bartley on June 18; 15 in Sutton Park on December 22; 16 in suburban garden in Hall Green on December 23.

Worcs Twelve noted at Upton Warren on December 27 and 15 at Bittell on December 31.

Staffs Ten reported at Pensnett on February 20; 17 at Himley on November 11 ; 10 at Wombourne on November 25; 12 at Doxey Marshes on December 9.

Jay Staffs Would appear to be breeding in vicinity of Cannock reservoir

since noted regularly there now.

Great Tit No changes reported.

Blue Tit Worcs Concentrations of 21 on January 24, 22 on June 22 and 27 on

September 14 reported at Bittell. Coal Tit

Staffs Concentration of at least 100 estimated at Enville on March 17 RAD MSS.

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Marsh Tit No changes reported.

Wil low Tit Staffs Bred for first time at Coombes Valley reserve MWa.

Long-tailed Tit Many reports of winter flocks up to 20. Larger concentrations as follows:—

Warks Twenty-four noted at Little Packington on October 23. Staffs Parties of 25, seven and 12 seen at White Sitch on January 28;

flocks of up to 55 regularly noted during autumn at Coombes Valley; 30 recorded at Blithfield on October 3; 30 at Wootton during November; 30 in Sherbrook Valley on November 10; 27 at Belvide on November 14. Nuthatch No changes reported.

Tree Creeper No changes in status.

Wren Warks Good numbers maintained in Alvecote and Wilnecote areas. Worcs Considered to be very numerous in county now by several

observers.

Dipper Worcs Breeding season reports from Dowles Brook, Chaddesley Corbett,

Tenbury Wells, Knowles Mill, Belbroughton, New Mill Bridge. Staffs Noted in breeding season at Coombes Valley, Hollinsclough,

Pilsbury, Three Shires Head, Oakamoor, Wetton Mill, Tittensor, Knypersley.

Bearded Tit Warks One seen by several observers at Ladywalk from October 27 to

November 3. At Brandon up to 12 present in first winter period and up to eight in second winter period; two birds caught were from Minsmere BMCG.

Worcs Noted at Bittell between November 13 KC and December 2 PCTu with five on November 14 CMa CMi. First noted at Upton Warren on November 14 AFJ and present to end of year. A bird seen at Netherton on December 30 PBT.

Staffs One present at Cannock reservoir on January 1 GE RAH; two at Gailey on March 12 BCG; two at Chillington on April 1 GIG; two at Belvide seen by several observers on October 13.

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Mistle Thrush Largest gatherings were:—

Warks Twenty-two at Marston on July 8 ; 22 at Ladywalk on July 22; 57 at Compton Verney on August 27; 40 in Sutton Park in late October.

Worcs Ten seen at Wilden on December 15. Staffs Forty-five seen at Hixon on July 22; 20 near the Roaches on

September 5; 200 in Jervis Wood on September 18.

Fieldfare Warks 250 moved east in small flocks in thirty minutes at Alvecote on

January 21. 100 counted at Edgbaston Park on February 6; 200 at Withybrook in April; 100 at Packwood House on April 20-21 ; 200 at roost near Wilmcote in April 24.

Worcs 200 present at Romsley on February 21 ; 300 near Goosehill Green on March 23; 300 at Upton Warren on March 25; several hundred at Bittell on October 26.

Staffs Many reports of flocks up to 250. 500 moved south over Shelfield on January 21 ; at Coombes Valley 4000 present in March and April, and 15,000 during September-October; 500 at Blithfield on March 24; 450 at Penkridge on April 18; 400 at Backdane on October 27, on which date parties totalling 1000 moved east over Gradbach; 400 present at Rudyard and 400 at Longsdon on November 9; 300 at Belvide on November 14.

Song Thrush Worcs Seventy present in Happy Valley, Malvern Hills, on September 24.

Redwing Many reports of flocks of 50-70.

Warks Nocturnal passage heard over Sutton Coldfield between October 1 and 12. Strong passage noted on night of October 7 at Brandon. 200 present at Bodymoor Heath on October 19 and 3900 flew into Sutton Park before dark on October 21, the majority con-tinuing towards Little Aston Park.

Worcs Main influx into Bittell area on October 12 with at least 250 present.

Staffs 300 recorded at Shelfield on January 21, when 100 also noted at Himley; 200 seen at Enville on March 9; 330 at Bunker's Wood roost on February 18; 150 at Hoar Cross on March 25; 4000 at Coombes Valley during March and April with 7000 in late September and October; 250 at Cheadle on October 15.

63

Ring Ouzel Warks Single birds recorded at Bartley on April 9 MSS and Ufton fields

on April 13 CS. Worcs One occurred at Bittell on May 5 and 6 MAB KC PKD; two noted

at Happy Valley on September 24 SMW; one reported in garden at Burcot on October 21 ST RT.

Staffs Reports in breeding season from Knotbury, Goldsitch, Wolf Edge, Roaches, Gradbach, Back Forest, Moreton, Berreton, Longnor, Roche End (four) and Blackbrook (six). One noted in garden at Maer on October 16 AH.

Blackbird Warks Singing birds heard at Tamworth and at Alvecote on January 3.

25 pairs breeding in 200 acres of mixed farmland at Wilnecote. Male seen singing from TV aerial of Regent House in city centre on April 12 AJR and another watched singing in Gas Street on June 4 BLK. Ten moved SW over Sutton Coldfield at 0740 hours on October 11.

Worcs Pair successfully raised two broods from nest on girder in under-ground car park in Dudley PBT.

Staffs Fifty-five estimated in Walton school fields area on June 1. 800-1000 estimated at Bunker's Wood roost during winter.

Wheatear Widespread reports of birds on passage but numbers appear to be lower than usual, excluding one or two isolated cases.

Warks Thirty present at Brandon on April 10 during snow; autumn passage very poor. Maximum spring count at Draycote was 18 on April 9 and eight in autumn on September 15. Distinct decrease reported in Tame Valley area.

Worcs Very few present around Bittell reservoir this year. Four on August 30 was maximum at Upton Warren.

Staffs Six counted at Gailey on April 6 ; a young bird again noted in July at Cannock reservoir; unusually poor passage reported from Stafford area; four seen at Brocton on August 17.

Greenland Wheatear Birds thought to be of this race reported as follows:—

Warks Regularly seen in mid May at Ladywalk with a maximum of four on May 14 AJ HTL.

Staffs One or two seen at Cannock reservoir from April 21 RAH to 25 GE. One thought to have been of this race seen at Bridgtown subsidence pools on May 12 JL.

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Stonechat Several reports of birds in breeding season.

Warks Single birds reported at Draycote from January 4 to 7, on August 22 and November 16. Two or three present in Sutton Park from early January until early March, followed by one on October 20. Up to three recorded at Ladywalk from January 1 to February 25 and again from October 27 to end of year. At Bartley one noted on January 19 and October 11, with two throughout December. Two seen at Alvecote on September 24 and another on October 29. At Bodymoor Heath two occurred from mid October to end of year. One seen at Stanford on November 1 and three at Brandon on November 4, followed by two on December 28. Five reported at Upton Hill farm on June 17 EJB.

Worcs One seen at Wilden on January 14 and October 15. One noted at Redditch on February 25 with a pair on December 30. At Twiland Wood one recorded on August 8 and one at Bittell on October 21 and December 2. One seen at Hartlebury Common on December 30 and two on Malvern Hills on December 31. Up to five present at Upton Warren from mid September to end of year. A male seen on Lickeys on June 17 DMH. Pair feeding young at Malvern on June 30 and July 1 when a second pair seen KHT.

Staffs Two seen in Sherbrook Valley on January 7 and 27. At Blithfield one or two present from January 13 to March 4 and another on October 13. One noted at Baswich on January 21, while at Cannock reservoir one reported on January 23 and 24 with four present on September 22. At Belvide two occurred between February 2 and 24 and from December 8 until end of year. One recorded at Milford Common on March 3; one at Pye Green on September 30; two near Flash on October 27; one at Berry Hill on October 29 and November 6; two at Holden Bridge on November 4 ; one at Fradley on December 14 and at Wallheath on December 30; one or two present at Whittington sewage farm during Dec-ember. One seen at Rawnsley on June 27 BCG.

Whinchat Breeding season reports from :—

Warks Alvecote—two pairs; Ladywalk. Passage through Tame Valley considered to be very poor this year.

Worcs Wilden ; Netherton; Caunsall; Kidderminster. Staffs Little Aston; Cannock Chase—German Cemetary, Sherbrook

Valley and Brocton (at least five pairs); Highgate Common; Churnet Valley—three pairs; Gradbach—two pairs; Goldsitch; Swallow Moss—two pairs; Hollingslough; Roaches—three pairs.

65

Seven sites at Cannock reservoir which normally hold birds produced not a single bird on June 13, five of the sites being partly destroyed.

Redstart Worcs Nine seen along Dowles Brook on May 20. Staffs Five seen at Kinver Edge on June 3; four pairs bred at Chillington;

considered to have increased on Cannock Chase and 10 located in Brocton and Sherbrook area. Decrease from 30 to 19 pairs reported at Coombes Valley.

Black Redstart A male seen in Birmingham near the Reference Library on May 25 ARMB and by Auchinleck House on July 1 AJR. One recorded along Stratford Canal at Preston Baggot on May 5 BRM. One reported at Ladywalk on May 19 and in December per HTL. First successful nesting record for county occurred when pair bred near Redditch AJR GT. A male sang at the Bilston site in May but no proof of breeding obtained PGD. One present at Blithfield from November 11 GS to 18—many observers.

Nightingale Warks Singing birds reported from Bishopton, Combrook, Wappenbury—

three birds, Wellesbourne. Worcs Trench wood—five birds; Upton Snodsbury—four birds.

Robin No change in status reported.

Grasshopper Warbler Again numbers regarded as smaller than usual. Heard in breeding season at Wilmcote, Ladywalk, Bodymoor Heath, Alvecote, Packington, Sutton Park, Hampton-in-Arden, Brandon—six birds; Nuneaton, Bartley Green—10 birds. Bittell—six birds; Elmley Castle—five birds; Upton Warren. Single birds only singing at Belvide and Blithfield. Other singing birds reported from Wrottesley, Abbots Bromley, Hanley sewage works, Pye Green, Sherbrook valley—seven birds; North Walls, Doley Common, Blythe Bridge.

Reed Warbler Warks Ten pairs at Alvecote—a decrease. Breeding occurred at usual

Tame Valley localities but in lower numbers. At Brandon nine pairs recorded as breeding but 160 birds caught during season

Warks

Worcs

Staffs

Warks

Worcs Staffs

66

suggests figure very much higher than this. Situation is even more confused by fact that same singing male was caught in three different colonies over a few days.

Worcs Twenty singing birds counted between Wheeler's Bridge and Salwarpe along the canal—a small decrease. Three pairs bred at Bittell reservoir.

Staffs Twenty pairs bred at Chillington. Three singing birds at Belvide though only one pair thought to have reared young. Several pairs bred within two miles of Walsall town centre.

Marsh Warbler Worcs Singing birds reported by several observers at Nafford and Ecking-

ton. A pair bred at a new locality in the county.

SedgejWarbler Warks Ten pairs at Alvecote were rather fewer than usual. Numbers

normal in the Tame Valley. 133 birds caught at Brandon during summer though most first broods were lost due to flooding.

Worcs Only one singing bird located at Bittell, a marked decrease from recent years.

Staffs No breeding birds found at Cannock reservoir and very rare on passage. A continued decrease at Belvide to only six singing birds and a further decrease reported at Blithfield. Five singing birds in small area of Brierley Hill Pools represents an increase there.

Blackcap Several reports of passage birds in suburban gardens.

Warks A bird present in Sutton Coldfield garden during January ME. Six singing birds present at Brandon, and 43 birds caught com-pared with 19 Garden Warblers. Numbers slightly higher than usual in Tame valley.

Worcs Present in normal numbers during breeding season. One seen in Kidderminster garden on February 22 and 24 GJW.

Staffs Is still holding its own at Belvide with 12 singing birds present, and numbers reported as being steady over recent years at Himley where eight pairs located. Five birds recorded at Gailey on April 28.

Garden Warbler Warks An increase reported in Tame Valley. A bird in full song at

Ladywalk on September 9. Staffs Only two birds sang erratically at Belvide during summer. Equal

numbers of Garden Warblers and Blackcaps reported at White Sitch, though outnumbered Blackcap at Bagot's Wood.

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Whitethroat Warks Fourteen caught at Brandon during summer compared with 13

Lesser Whitethroats. Four present at Ladywalk on May 16 and five at Bodymoor Heath on May 20 though numbers in Tame Valley area in breeding season reported as extremely low. Two or three pairs bred at Alvecote. Slight increase in Sutton Park but only one pair bred.

Worcs Reports of single pairs at a moderate number of scattered localities suggests a thin but quite wide distribution in the county.

Staffs Still considered scarce generally in South Staffordshire. Only one record from Cannock reservoir and three from Blithfield. Nine birds sang occasionally in Brewood-Belvide area early in the season. A further decrease reported at Weston Park. A small increase noted at Himley where at least five pairs present. Nine singing males found in Coppice Hill-Oldacre Valley area on June 8 and four in Churnett Valley area on June 16.

Lesser Whitethroat Warks Further decrease noted in Tame Valley. One pair bred at Brandon,

and noted in breeding season at Alvecote, Shuckburgh Park, Sutton Park and Leamington Spa.

Worcs Noted in breeding season at Bittell, Twiland Wood, Netherton and Little Malvern.

Staffs Breeding season reports from Whitmore Heath, Blithbury and Gailey. A decrease to three singing birds in Belvide area.

Wil low Warbler Warks Again numbers somewhat lower than usual in Tame Valley area.

Three or four pairs in breeding season at Alvecote where 11 occurred on April 21. 98 caught during summer at Brandon.

Staffs Forty-six singing birds located in Belvide-Brewood area. 17 in song in one area of Skelmore Wood against 12 Chiffchaff on April 24. Spring peak at Highgate Common was 19 on April 26 and at Cannock reservoir 36 on April 27.

Chiffchaff Warks A few pairs only in Tame Valley—a poor year. Only one pair bred

at Brandon, though ringers caught 20 during summer. Staffs One seen in garden at Rickerscote on January 9 FCG. Only five

singing birds in Brewood-Belvide area. Fewer than usual on passage at Cannock reservoir. Found to outnumber Willow Warbler at White Sitch in those areas with rhododendron cover.

68

Wood Warbler Warks One sang in Sutton Park during May and June. A bird seen at

Earlswood on May 19. Three singing birds recorded in Wappen-bury Wood on June 3. Single birds noted in Bentley Park and Monks Park near Atherstone on June 17. Birds reported on passage at Woodend and Kingsbury.

Worcs Ten recorded in Habberley Valley on April 29 and eight at Dowles Manor on May 20. Other records in breeding season from West-wood Park, Chaddesley Woods and Lickey Hills—several birds.

Staffs Reported from Chillington, Blithfield, Cannock Chase, White Sitch, Himley, Highgate Common, Kinver Edge, Dane Valley, Knypersley, Hopwas Wood.

Goldcrest Again widespread reports of birds in suburban gardens, and many comments received describing the species as increasing.

Staffs Flock of 50 reported at Shoal Hill in winter months, and one of 25 at Cannock Chase on February 21.

Firecrest Warks A bird of the year caught at Brandon on November 4 BMCG. Staffs A male watched for several minutes at Springslade Lodge area of

Cannock Chase on April 20 DS. Singing bird recorded from April to late June at Coombes Valley MWa.

Spotted Flycatcher Warks Reported for second year in Trittiford Park, Hall Green, and birds

noted on passage in Erdington garden. Six recorded in Charlecote Park on June 22 and eight at Shustoke on July 26.

Worcs Pair bred on facade of public house in Ashton-under-Hill despite building works within a few yards of nest. Bred in a Northfield garden, rearing four young.

Staffs Bred in Rushall Churchyard and also in Stoke Churchyard. Distinct increase reported in Weston Park and very successful breeding season. Five noted at Latherford on September 15.

Pied Flycatcher Warks A pair present in Edgbaston Park on May 7 and 8 KESOS. One

caught at Brandon on September 25 BMCG. Worcs One reported from Worcester Beacon on July 7 BB. A total of

72 young hatched from 15 nestboxes at Far Forest, Knowles Mill, Oak Cottage and Bagton.

Staffs Nine pairs bred at Coombes Valley and one probably at Chillington.

Hedge Sparrow Warks Twelve pairs in 200 acres at Wilmecote.

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Meadow Pipit Warks Fifty was maximum at Ladywalk on March 26 and up to 100

present in spring at Draycote. Worcs Thirty recorded at Wilden on November 10. Staffs Up to 100 at Cannock reservoir in spring and autumn with influxes

of 145 on March 29 and 250 on April 9. 60 at Bagnall golf course on March 30; 80 at Belvide on April 1 ; 70 at Whittington sewage farm on December 1.

Tree Pipit Warks Only one breeding pair located by observer in Tame Valley, at

Ladywalk. At least eight recorded at Bentley Park and Monks Park on June 17.

Worcs Eight present in Habberley Valley on April 29. One noted at Bittell, where unusual, during June.

Staffs Five singing birds reported at Coombes Valley on April 26 and five on part of Cannock Chase on May 5. A bird singing at Cannock reservoir on May 29 was unusual.

Rock Pipit Warks One reported at Earlswood Lakes on February 14 KNK. Single

birds noted at Draycote on March 20 DNM and April 3 RB with up to four present from October 7 to November 7 RB EAE DNM. One flew over Drayton on October 29 DS.

Worcs Two noted at Bittell on December 2 PCTu. Staffs At Cannock reservoir one present on February 4 KNK, two from

March 4 to March 17 KNK PBT, one on April 7 RAH and single birds on November 1 and 2 GE and December 16 PBT. One or two seen at Belvide between March 13 and 28 CR PBT, and from November 3 to 30 GRH CR. At Blithfield one occurred on March 18 and present from October 6 to 28 with four on the last date—many observers. A later bird noted on December 2 EGP.

Water Pipit Warks One or two reported at Ladywalk from February 24 DRW until

March 25, with three on the last date GRH NPH. One or two noted at Brandon from April 1 to 8 BMCG. A bird present at Kenilworth from November 23 to end of year CHP.

Staffs At Cannock reservoir the 1972 bird was seen by many observers until April 4 RAH. One, occasionally two, noted from November 10 DS until end of year. Single birds noted at Belvide from March 15 to 18 and between March 27 and April 7 MJH CR DS. One seen at Blithfield on April 12 FCG.

70

Pied Wagtail Warks Forty roosted at Compton Verney on July 28; 40 at Brandon on

August 6 ; 200 at Alvecote on November 19; 40 at Milcote sewage works on December 27.

Worcs Up to 30 recorded at Wilden during autumn; 40 roosted at Northwick marsh in October and November; 50 roosted at Bittell on December 16.

Staffs Fifty at Holden Bridge on April 14; 40 at Ford Green on September 22; 20 at Dosthill on October 25; 50 at Bucknall on November 9; 125 at Brierley Hill on November 21 ; 120 at Whittington sewage farm on December 1 ; 70 at Kinver pumping station on December 15.

White Wagtail Single birds recorded on passage at many suitable localities in late April and early May; most recorded were eight at Cannock reser-voir (Staffs) from April 20 to May 1 and seven at Bartley (Warks) on June 18.

Worcs Female White Wagtail watched sitting on nest at Malvern on June 17. Male Pied Wagtail took food to either the female or young ADH MJf.

Grey Wagtail Many records, usually single birds, at suitable wet localities in winter months. Breeding season reports from:—

Warks Bartley, Coughton, Ladywalk, Earlswood Lakes, Edgbaston Park, Leamington Spa.

Worcs Stour Valley, Belbroughton, Dowles Brook, Bittell, Alfrick, Wolverley.

Staffs Belvide, Cannock reservoir, Trentham, Copmere, Keele, Swallow Moss, Coombes Valley.

Yellow Wagtail Warks Very poor spring passage and breeding season reported by several

observers. 50, mainly juveniles, at Alvecote from July 30 to August 4. 20 at Draycote on September 8 and 70 at Ladywalk on September 10.

Staffs At Belvide, where only one pair bred, maximum was 30 on May 13. Poor numbers at Blithfield where maximum was 40 during most of August.

Blue-headed Wagtail Staffs Single birds identified at Blithfield on April 24 TD, at Whittington

sewage farm during late April MJW and one, with a grey-headed variant, at Belvide on May 13 DS.

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Waxwing Warks Single birds reported at Yardley on April 14 DAC and at Draycote

on December 9 OLL TWL.

Great Grey Shrike Warks Single birds reported from Bartley on January 1 DCWH MSS;

Brandon from January to March 17 and from November 4 to end of year BMCG; Draycote on October 1 per RB; Alvecote from October 14 to December 2 GAA BCr CD; Bodymoor Heath on December 2 EAH HTL. One seen at Sutton Park on December 1 had unusual plumage with pale brown head, cap and back, buff underparts, black primaries, no supercilium JL.

Worcs 1972 bird at Wilden was singing for long periods on February 16 EGP. One seen at Castlemorton Common on March 22 SMW.

Staffs Reported at Brocton from January 7 to 27 RAH PBT and on December 31 RAH JL; Rudyard on January 21 HWK; Tixall on January 28 and October 30 AJD; Cannock reservoir on February 17 GE; Oldacre Valley on April 8 DS and from November 10 to end of year GRH NPH DS ICW; Maer Hills on October 24 AH; Rugeley Ranges on October 25 FCG; Coombes Valley during November MWa; Swynnerton on December 9; Brownhills Common on December 19 GE.

Starling Warks 6000 roosted at Brandon during August; several thousand flew

NE over Ufton on November 13; many thousand headed east over Alvecote on November 26.

Worcs 5000 flew NW from roost near Pershore on November 6. Staffs One attacked a Short-tailed Vole at Newcastle on February 1 JG,

and a bird with long curved bill of twice normal length visited garden in Walsall during May JRH. 3000 seen at Knighton on October 29; Roost at Willenhall estimated at 300,000 on Dec-ember 9 with birds arriving from direction of Stafford.

Hawfinch Warks One reported in Harborne garden on January 6 MWC; at Compton

Verney one found dead on February 11 and two seen on Nov-ember 18 followed by three on 25 RA. One noted in Sutton Park on February 22 JEF; one present at Minworth on September 16 HTL.

Worcs A bird seen at Kyre Park on April 28 MJL Staffs Two or three, occasionally four, seen at Belvide by many observers

from March 13 to April 16.

72

Greenfinch Warks 500 counted at Brandon on January 21 ; 50 in mixed finch flock at

Ladywalk during January and February; 75 at Marston Green on July 25; 32 at Compton Verney on October 7 ; 50 at Alvecote on November 19; 50 at Bodymoor Heath on December 1 ; 150 at Milcote on December 8 ; 30 at Draycote on December 30.

Staffs 200 counted at Pillaton on October 28; 300 at Whittington in December.

Goldfinch Warks 50 at Ladywalk in January and February; 30 at Priory Park on

April 25; 40 at Long Marston on September 20; 30 at Alvecote on September 24.

Worcs Seventy present at Wilden on December 15. Staffs Thirty seen at Copmere on March 16; 20 at Stafford on August 19;

30 at Cannock reservoir on September 29; 40 at Pensnett on October 3 ; 100 at Belvide on October 30.

Siskin Many records from gardens, mainly in March. Winter flocks generally quite small, though birds were recorded until late April, some in song, and the first breeding record for the Club's area has been confirmed.

Warks Fifty at Shustoke on January 14; 35 in Sutton Park on January 20; 35 at Brandon on January 25; 25 at Mancetter on January 31 ; 20 at Compton Verney on December 9; 26 at Leamington Spa on December 2.

Worcs 1 50 seen in Lickey Woods on January 10; 30 in Wyre Forest on March 11 ; 26 in Twiland Wood on October 12; 80 at Bittell from November 14 to 27.

Staffs Twenty-five seen at Gailey on January 1 ; 80 at Himley on January 21 ; 20 at Wombourne on January 2 ! ; 20 at Blithfield on January 28; 30-35 on Cannock Chase in February and March; 25 at Wrottesley on March 23; 20 at Norton Canes on April 5. A pair bred in Stour Valley MSS, first record for the three counties. Pair seen on Cannock Chase on May 1, one carrying nest material RG.

Linnet Warks Sixty at Packington Park on February 27 and September 29; 700

at Little Packington on September 15 when 150 noted at Body-moor Heath; 200 at Draycote on October 14; 100 at Ladywalk on October 20; 50 at Alvecote on September 29; 100 at Combrook on November 25; 1000 at Milcote on December 27.

73

Staffs 100 on Walton School fields, Stafford on May 2; 120 at Cannock reservoir on September 25; 150 at Blithfield on October 3; 1000 at Whittington sewage farm on December 22.

Twite More records than usual away from usual winter haunts, and large increase in breeding population reported.

Warks Six noted at Bodymoor Heath on January 8 KESOS; 20 present at Ladywalk during January and February HTL and three on October 30 AJ; two noted at Tachbrook Mallory on February 16 EJB.

Worcs One reported at Bittell on September 11 GFA; one noted near Halesowen on December 21 MCC.

Staffs At Cannock reservoir up to 40 seen until March 11 and then a curious pattern of records with about 30 present from November 5 to 11 and then no more until the large total of 90 on December 22 ARMB. One noted at Belvide on February 9 PBT\ one at Gailey on February 16 BCG and March 2 JRH. Flocks of 50 seen near Flash in mid-October JG. Present at Coombes Valley in breeding season and large increase reported on North Stafford-shire Moors. Observer estimates at least 40 pairs on moors MWa. 20 birds seen at Merryton Low on June 24 PAK.

Redpoll Warks Breeding season reports from Wellesbourne; Sutton Coldfield,

Sutton Park—bred; Earlswood, Brandon—10 pairs bred, Lady-walk—bred; Woodena—bred; Meriden—bred, Stratford-on-Avon. Largest flocks reported were 20 at Draycote on January 14; 15 at Alvecote on January 15; 40 at Brandon on February 4 ; 30 at Packington Park on February 18; 30 at Bodymoor Heath on March 10; 60 in Sutton Park on October 7; 25 in Edgbaston Park on December 8. At Ladywalk 50 present with mixed finch flock during winter months.

Worcs Seen in breeding season at Bittell—bred; Cradley—bred; Goosehill Wood, Ravenshill Wood. 30 seen at Twiland Wood on October 12; 50 present at Wilden on December 9.

Staffs Breeding season records from Four Ashes, Stour Valley, Iverley — bred, Bagot's Wood, Blithfield—bred, Gailey—bred, Cannock reservoir—bred, Belvide, Cannock Chase, Pensnett, Himley, Gornal Wood, Trentham Park, Hanchurch, Coombes Valley. Recent explosion said to have levelled out in Weston Park area. Largest flocks reported were parties of 40 and 50 at Enville on April 27; 60 on Cannock Chase on May 5; 200 at Hanchurch on

74

May 11 ; 50 at Bunker's Wood on October 13; 30 at Blithfield on October 14; 20 at Rudyard on November 9; 45 at Leek from October to end of year; 60 at Whittington sewage farm on December 22.

Bullfinch Warks Fifty present at Ladywalk during January and February; 15 in

Sutton Park during winter months; 31 in Edgbaston Park on October 4 ; eight at Alvecote on December 25.

Worcs Fourteen seen at Upton Warren on January 7 ; 50 at Bittell on November 25; 20 near Bromsgrove on December 1.

Crossbill

Warks Single birdsseen at Hartshill on October 21 and Griff on October 28. Staffs Flock present in Springslade Lodge area of Cannock Chase until

early May, usually 10-15 seen, but 30 noted on April 20. Many reports of small numbers from unspecified areas of Cannock Chase probably referred to this area though it is not possible to accurately assess the true number present. At Enville up to 11 seen from February 4 to April 27. Juvenile birds seen on Cannock Chase on April 29 ARMB and June 16 JL, and noted at Coombes Valley during June MWa.

Chaffinch Warks 200 present in finch flock at Ladywalk during January and

February.

75

Worcs 100 noted at Bittell on March 14; 200 in Hanbury Park on March 26; 100 at Wilden on December 9.

Staffs 500 estimated at Whittington sewage works during winter months; 100 at Enville on March 9; 50 at Greensforge on March 30.

Brambling Warks 200 estimated at Brandon on January 12 and 200 at Bartley on

December 27; otherwise only small numbers (less than 10) at other localities.

Worcs Fifty in Bittell area from March 14 to April 15; 80 at Holt Fleet on October 27; 20 at Blakedown on December 17; 300 at Wilden on December 24; 30 along Salwarpe Canal on December 28; 200 at Frankley Church from December 16 to 31 certainly refers to the same flock seen at Bartley.

Staffs Many flocks of 30 or less. Largest flocks were: Huge flock near Brewood estimated at 1500 on February 10; 100 at Rugeley on March 13; 300 in Hilton-Chesterfield area on March 17; 60 at Himley in November; flocks of 150 and 250 at Chillington on December 16; 200 at Whittington sewage farm during late December.

Corn Bunting Reported in breeding season from:—

Warks Leamington Spa, Clifford Chambers, Alvecote, Ladywalk, Curd-worth, Marton, Bodymoor Heath, Old Milverton. Roosts of 100 reported at Brandon during January; 40 in Sutton Park on February 14; 20 at Bodymoor Heath on September 16 and November 20.

Worcs Westwood, Salwarpe, Elmley Castle, Hagley, Pershore, Holt Heath, Broome.

Staffs Iverley, Whittington sewage farm, Shire Oak, Lichfield, Hammer-wich, Alrewas, King's Bromley, Cannock reservoir, Belvide, Tamworth, Enville, Dosthill, Seighford, Shenstone.

Yellow Hammer Warks Twenty seen at Alvecote on November 19; 150 in Tame Valley

from December 12 to end of year; 10 in Edgbaston Park on December 26; 30 at Draycote on December 30.

Worcs 100 near Bricklehampton during February. Staffs Fifty near Rushall during winter; 30 at Blithfield on January 21 ;

50 at Himley on March 11 and December 9.

Cirl Bunting No reports from Malvern site. Information required please.

76

Reed Bunting Warks At Brandon 200 roosted on February 4, 80 pairs bred, and 449

were caught during the year, two of which were over 8 years old. 200 with mixed finch flock in Tame valley during late December.

Staffs Influxes of 50 at Enville on March 17; 60 at Belvide on April 1 ; 60 at Cannock reservoir on September 24.

Lapland Bunting Staffs One seen feeding at close range at Cannock reservoir on Nov-

ember 3 when typical flight calls heard AFJ. Fourth county record.

Snow Bunting Warks At Draycote one seen on October 26 RB, one on November 4

TWL and two on December 9 DIP. Worcs Three present on Malverns on December 29 DJH and 30 JC. Staffs At Cannock reservoir one present from January 1 to 6, two from

January 7 to February 4, and one from February 11 to 27—many observers. One seen at Belvide on December 9 ARMB.

House Sparrow Warks Flocks of up to 100 common at Tamworth during harvest time.

A yellow bird seen at Brandon in April and October BMCG and a cream bird noted on June 21 JL.

Worcs 100 present at Netherton on March 21. Staffs Albino bird seen in Wolverhampton garden in autumn CJH.

Tree Sparrow Warks Flock of 250 seen at Draycote on January 6 and one of 200 on

February 17. 300 present at Packington on January 14. 70 noted at Bartley on February 19.

Worcs Fifty recorded at Wilden on December 24. Staffs Forty reported at Chorley on April 1. 300 at Whittington sewage

farm in December.

77

Selected Recoveries in 1973 of Birds Ringed in the W M B C Area

Key Pull 1Y 2Y 1W

Pullus (nestling) Juv Bird in its first year P J Bird in its second year FG Bird in its first winter Ad

Juvenile (young unable to fly) Post-juvenile Full grown (age uncertain) (Adult at least one year old)

Arrangement of Entry By species and recovery date. Ringing details are given on the first line and recovery details on the second. A bird caught or trapped and released alive marked thus*.

Ringer Species Movement Ring No. Age Date Place (k-kilometers) Heron 1090770 Pull 28 04 73 Gailey Reservoir, Staffs CDTM

07 10 73 Wem, Shropshire 45 k WNW 1081065 Pull 22 04 72 Gailey CDTM

03 11 73 Amber Hill, Boston, Lines 135 k ENE 1060382 Pull 12 05 70 Gailey CDTM

20 11 73 Lapworth, Warwicks 45 k SE 1081606 Pull 15 07 73 Gailey CDTM

04 12 73 Kingsbury, Warwicks 30 k ESE 1090798 Pull 28 06 73 Gailey CDTM

22 12 73 Stapleford Wood, Lines 97 k NE

Mallard GP 13322 Juv 30 05 71 Weston-under-Lizard,

Staffs PGD

05 09 73 Oakmere, nr Delamere, Ches

65 k NNW

Wigeon SS 93751 PJ 24 12 70 Blithfield Res. Rugeley,

Staffs CDTM 51° 37' N

00 02 73 De Heen (Noord Brabent), Netherlands)

4° 16' E

SS 95354 Ad 31 12 72 Blithfield CDTM 22 05 73 Giltjaur (Lake). Sorsele

(Vasterbottem), Sweden 65° 33' N 16° 59' E

SS 73055 Ad 07 12 68 Blithfield CDTM 01 09 73 Near Lappeenranta

(Kymi), Finland 61° 04' N 28° 15' E

78

SS 73027 1W 07 12 68 Blithfield CDTM 00 10 73 Frodsham Marsh, Cheshire 80 k NW

SS 73053 Ad 07 12 68 Blithfield CDTM 08 10 72 Near Odinlsovo (Moscow), 55° 39' N

USSR 37° 15' E

SS 93760 Ad 23 01 72 Blithfield CDTM 10 10 73 Randers Fjord (Jutland), 56° 36' N

Denmark 10° 20' E

SS 83717 Ad 28 12 69 Blithfield CDTM 11 11 73 Vested Banke (Jylland), 55° 25' N

Denmark 08° 30' E

SS 95361 Ad 31 12 72 Blithfield CDTM 17 11 73 Hardy, Soustons (Landes), 43° 45' N

France 01° 19' E

SS 95363 1Y 31 12 72 Blithfield CDTM 06 12 73 Holy Island Sands, 315 k N

Northumberland

Canada Goose 5012098 Ad 06 07 68 Branston, Burton-on-Trent, CDTM

Staffs 40 k NE *13 07 73 Newstead Abbey,

Popplewink, Notts 5057599 Ad 07 07 73 Gailey Res, Staffs CDTM

15 09 73 Flint 95 k NW

M u t e Swan Z 11530 Pull 26 08 67 Stafford, Staffs CDTM

*14 07 69 Barrow-in-Furness, Lanes 180 k NW 01 01 73 Pennington Flash, Leigh,

- Lanes 80 k SE Z 32013 Pull 02 09 72 Wilnecote, Tamworth,

Staffs CDTM 26 01 73 Wellingborough, Northants 70 k SE

Z 30662 2Y 31 05 72 Tamworth, Staffs CDTM *11 07 72 Market Deeping, Lines 90 k E 13 03 73 Market Deeping, Lines —

Z 21332 FG 30 04 67 Burton-on-Trent, Staffs CDTM 14 03 73 Farnworth, Bolton, Lanes 100 k NW

Z 19291 1Y 29 10 67 Stratford on Avon, Warks JAH 08 04 73 Hempstead, nr Gloucs 50 k SW

79

Z 32019 Pull 02 09 72 Whittington, Lichfield, Staffs CDTM

20 07 73 Barlborough, Staveley, Derbys 75 k NNE

Z 13122 1Y 28 07 63 Burton-on-Trent, Staffs CDTM 16 09 73 River Ancholme, Brigg,

Lines 110 k NE Z 32837 3Y 28 01 73 Tamworth, Staffs CDTM

17 09 73 Warrington, Lanes 105 k NW Z 26606 2Y 30 03 69 Burton-on-Trent, Staffs CDTM

*09 08 69 Alvecote, Tamworth, Staffs 15 k S *03 11 73 Trent Bridge, Notts 50 k NE

Z 32093 Pull 17 09 72 Chasewater, Cannock, Staffs CDTM

*03 11 73 Trent Bridge, Notts 60 k ENE Z 20978 1W 23 11 71 Worcester GHG

*05 08 72 Alvecote, Tamworth, Staffs 60 k NE *03 11 73 Alvecote —

*25 11 73 Trent Bridge, Notts 50 k NE

Kestrel EC 92288 Pull 23 06 72 Kings Bromley, Staffs CDTM

19 04 73 Lusignan (Vienne), France 46° 26' N 0° 08' E

EF 81610 Pull 03 07 73 Barford, Warks JAH 20 11 73 Little Gaddesden, Herts 85 k SE

Snipe CR 13251 22 11 70 Worcester GHG

28 01 73 Ightfield, Salop 85 k NNW

Black-headed Gull ED 54314 1Y 10 12 72 Chasewater, Cannock,

Staffs SCB 26 04 73 Leiston, Suffolk 235 k ESE

ED 54319 1Y 10 12 72 Chasewater SCB 02 10 73 Wildfowl Trust, Slimbridge,

Glos 107 k S

Barn Owl AJ 92527 Pull 10 09 69 Red Hill, Alcester, Warks JAH

23 02 73 Long Lawford, Rugby, Warks 37 k NE

AJ 92540 Pull 09 07 73 Sherborne, Warks JAH 18 12 73 Near Burford, Oxon 47 k S

Swi f t SA 09584 FG 14 06 71 Norton Caines, Staffs GF

06 07 73 Graerup, Vejers 55° 39' N (Jutland), Denmark 8° 07' E

Swal low ? Juv 03 09 72 Bedworth, Nuneaton,

Warks RKS 19 01 73 Hillcrest, nr Durban

S Africa 29° 40' S 31° 00' E

JJ 29490 Juv 07 08 72 Bedworth SCB 30 01 73 Westville, nr Durban, 29° 51' S

S Africa 30° 54' E

JH 99045 Juv 25 08 73 Bedworth M&C 05 09 73 Norton Place, Hemswell, 120 k NE

Lines JP 14819 Juv 15 08 73 Wetley Rocks, Stoke-on-

Trent, Staffs LG *08 09 73 Bedworth 70 k S

Carrion Crow SS 93823 Pull 20 05 70 Wellesbourne, Warks J AH

00 06 73 Nr. Grimsbury Res. Banbury Oxon 23 k SE

Great Tit JP 45576 1Y 18 03 73 Outhill, Studley, Warks TE

*11 11 73 Walmley, Sutton Coldfield, CMH Warks 27 k N

Blue Tit JN 90200 1Y 28 01 73 Brandon, Coventry, Warks BRG

*11 03 73 Long Buckley, Rugby, Warks 22 k ESE

HB 37721 Ad 13 11 71 Perry Barr, Brimingham SCB 08 05 73 Twycross, Atherstone,

Leics 28 k ENE JJ 25522 Juv 19 02 72 Dudley, Worcs PGD

14 06 73 Meir Heath, Longton, Staffs 50 k N

81

Fieldfare CJ 04286 Ad 22 04 72 Brandon, Coventry, Warks BRG

02 12 72 Roncade, nr. Melma 45° 38' N (Treviso), Italy 12° 22' E

cc 13711 Ad 09 02 69 Temple Grafton, Warks JAH 08 12 72 Penamacor (Beira Baixa), 40° 10' N

Portugal 07° 10' W

Redwing CN 66304 FG 04 12 71 Sandon Stone, Staffs M&C

03 03 73 Hinx (Landes), France 43° 42' N 0° 56' W

CH 30048 1Y 29 12 72 Sandon SCB 14 06 73 Kangasharju (Kuopio), 62° 31' N

Finland 28° 02' E

BV 28079 1Y 18 11 72 Sandon SB 10 11 73 Quenza, Corsica, France 41° 46' N

09° 08' E CS 44389 FG 12 12 70 Sandon EJP

20 12 73 Nr. Woldendorp (Groningen) Netherlands 53° 16' N

07° 03' E

Blackbird CN 48613 1Y 06 12 70 Sandon, Stone, Staffs SCB

*15 03 73 Blackmoorfoot, Huddersfield, Yorks 85 k NNE

C V 42557 Ad 09 04 66 Westwood Park, Droitwich, Worcs GHG

03 11 73 Hjortlund, Gredstedbro 55° 24' N (Jutland), Denmark 08° 48' E

CN 66253 1Y 13 11 71 Fillongley, Coventry, Warks M & C 16 11 73 Scunthorpe, Lines 110 k NNE

CS 80681 Ad 04 03 68 Weston-u-Lizard, Staffs PGD 11 12 73 Viborg (Jylland), Denmark 56° 28' N

09° 25' E C V 75323 Ad 14 11 66 Outhill, Studley, Warks TE

19 12 73 Vedby, Borgholm (Oland), 56° 46' N Sweden 16° 39' E

82

Sedge Warbler JN 45768 Ad 09 08 73 Branston, Burton-on-Trent,

Staffs M & C *13 08 73 Chew Valley Lake,

Somerset 180 k SSW JS 27062 ? 02 08 73 Brandon, Coventry, Warks BRG

*15 08 73 (Loire) Atlantique, France 47° 16' N 01J 50' W

HH 42274 1Y 02 09 73 Brandon BRG *07 09 73 Litlington, Seaford, Sussex 210 k SE

Wil low Warbler 524547 Juv 11 07 71 Tixall, Staffs JML

*25 04 73 Joue-les-Tours (Indre et 41° 21' N Loire), France 00° 40' E

Pied Flycatcher JK 14467 Pull 16 07 72 Wyre Forest, Bewdley,

Worcs JM *22 05 73 Brockhampton, Bromyard,

Hereford 22 k SSW

Pied Wagtail HN 81913 FG 09 11 68 Sparkhill, Birmingham ELW

*13 01 73 Manor Farm, S.F. Reading, Berks 130 k SE

JB 38402 Juv 12 09 70 Alcester, Warks JAH *25 02 73 Manor Farm SF 100 k SE

Starling XX 36315 2Y 18 03 61 Boldmere, Sutton Coldfield,

Warks AH 28 11 72 Nr. Slavgorod (Mogilev), 53° 26' N

Belorussiya SSR 31° 00' E

CP 06126 FG 08 02 69 Handsworth Wood, Birmingham TE

06 07 73 Bagband (Avrich), 52° 21' N Niedersachsen, Germany 07° 37' E

Greenfinch BP 86055 FG 05 07 72 Bewdley, Worcs JM

25 05 73 Sprotborough, nr Doncaster, Yorks 150 k NE

83

BX 02618 1Y 02 03 73 Four Oaks, Sutton Coldfield, Warks JB

03 04 73 Melton Wood, Doncaster, Yorks 120 k NNE

Linnet JN 90695 Juv

Redpoll JN 46038 1Y

30 06 73 Brandon, Coventry, Warks BRG 20 10 73 Garrosse (Landes), 44° 01' N

France 00° 55' W

29 10 72 Temple Grafton, Warks J AH 20 06 73 Runswick Bay, Saltburn-

by-Sea, Yorks 275 k NNE

Chaffinch JH 16313 1Y 28 11 71 Temple Grafton, Warks

*22 10 73 VandetSo, Thy (Jutland), Denmark

J AH

57° 02' N 08° 32' E

Brambling JN 11774 Ad 25 02 73 Chillington, Wolver-

hampton, Staffs JL *01 12 73 Ekeren (Antwerpen), 51° 17' N

Belgium 04° 25' E

Birds ringed Elsewhere and Recovered in 1973 in the W M B C Area

Canada Goose Species

Ring No. Age Date

Canada Goose

Place Ringer

Movement (k-kilometres)

5055612 PJ 25 06 72 Kedleston, Derby CDTM *13 03 73 Rowington, nr Warwick 70 k SSW

5055607 PJ 25 06 72 Kedleston CDTM *13 03 73 Rowington 70 k SSW

5038366 Ad 07 07 68 Kedleston CDTM 20 10 73 Gailey Res., Staffs 47 k WSW

84

Mute Swan Z 28648 Pull 17 08 69 Saul, Gloucester

*29 04 73 Armitage, Rugeley, (CDTM) Staffs 110 k NNE

Z 31038 Pull 12 09 72 River Kennett, Reading, Berks

*09 06 73 Cannock Res., Staffs 145 k NNW (CDTM)

Z 20648 2Y 14 01 67 Oxford, Oxon *30 08 73 Coventry, Warks (CHP) i 75 k NNW

Z 32164 Pull 25 08 72 Osney, Oxford, Oxon *09 12 73 Burton-on-Trent, Staffs 115 k NNW

(CDTM)

Swal low JH 93677 Juv 07 09 71 Madeley, Salop PGD

*26 08 73 Branston, Burton-on-Trent, Staffs (M & C) 60 k ENE

JS 34029 Pull 05 08 73 Gt. Budworth, Northwick, Ches

*08 09 73 Bedworth, Nuneaton, Warks (LG) 110 k S

Sand Mart in HX 97212 FG 10 05 70 Attenborough, Notts

*10 06 73 Brandon, Coventry, Warks 60 k SSW

Bearded Tit HS 95981 ? 24 04 71 Minsmere, Suffolk

*27 12 73 Brandon, Coventry, Warks (BRG) 200 k W

JN 78682 ? 25 09 73 Minsmere *27 12 73 Brandon (BRG) 200 k W

Reed Warbler JE 78555 1Y 19 09 71 Litlington, Seaford, Sussex

*15 07 73 Brandon, Coventry, Warks (BRG) 210 k NW

Sedge Warbler JK 86082 Juv 15 08 72 Radipole, Weymouth,

Dorset *02 07 73 Brandon, Coventry,

Warks (BRG) 205 k NNE JR 52598 1Y 08 09 73 Radipole

•16 09 73 Brandon (BRG) 205 k NNE

85

Pied Wagtail JC 96622 1Y 22 10 71 Manor Farm SF, Reading,

Berks 17 03 73 Bromley Hayes, Lichfield,

Staffs 155 k NW JH 58553 1Y 20 08 71 Oakengates, Salop PGD

17 12 73 Rowley Regis, Staffs 33 k SE

Greenfinch BJ 83163 1Y 06 03 70 Stroud, Glos

22 05 73 Kings Norton, Birmingham 75 k NNE

Key to Ringers Initials JB J Blundell JAH J A Hardman SB S. Bingham CMH C M Hemmings SCB S C Brown JML J M Langford PGD P G Deans CDTM C D T Minton TE T Edwards JM J Mountford GF G Fernihough CHP C H Potter LG L Goodyer EJP E J Pratley GHG G H Green RKS R K Smith AH A Hardy ELW E L Watterson

BRG Brandon Ringing Group MBC Merrill & Clarke

Migrants The average arrival or departure dates given below for each bird are based respectively on the first and last dates (excluding freak dates) given in the Annual Reports up to 1973. The figure in brackets is the number of years on which the average is based. Arrival Chiffchaff March 18 Average March 18

23 23 25

(39) Leamington Spa Bittell Copmere Many records

Departure

(39) Oct 11 Average Nov 8 Dosthill Oct 25 Leamington Spa

10 Penkridge 5 King's Bromley

Wheatear March 25 Average (36) March 18 Leamington Spa

18 Draycote 22 Bittell 23 Hurley 24 Many records

Oct 3 Average (37) Oct 19 Draycote

13 Blithfield 7 Bittell 1 Ladywalk

86

Arrival

Sand Mart in March 26 Average (38) March 26 Bittell

26 Upton Warren 26 Ladywalk 27 Belvide

Departure

Oct 2 Average (38) Oct 15 Kings Bromley

9 Draycote Sept 30 Several records

Wil low Warbler March 28 Average (39) Sept28 Average (39) March 24 Leamington Spa Oct 7 Dudley

25 Barton-under-Needwood 7 Hednesford 29 Belvide Sept 24 Malvern 29 Shelfield 23 Shelfield

Little Ringed Plover April 2 Average (9) Sept 23 Average (9) April 8 Ufton Fields NR Sept 30 Cannock reservoir

9 Cannock reservoir 29 Blithfield 14 Alvecote 17 Alvecote 14 Ladywalk 16 Dracote

Swal low April 3 Average (39) April 5 Blithfield

6 Upton Warren 7 Austy Wood 7 Rawnsley 8 Many records

Oct 26 Average (39) Nov 21 Whittington SF

4 Belvide 3 Stourton 3 Ivetsey Bank

Blackcap April 6 Average (39) April 6 Hall Green

7 Westwood 11 Cookley 15 Many records

Sept21 Average (36) Nov 11 Himley Oct 17 Yoxall Sept 23 Erdington

19 Seven Springs

Ring Ouzel April 9 Moreton Gorse

9 Bartley 12 Brereton 13 Ufton Fields NR

Oct 21 Burcot 16 Maer

Sept 24 Malvern 5 Roaches

87

Arrival

Garganey April 7 Average (31) April 15 Ladywalk

19 Westwood 19 Belvide 24 Bodymoor Heath

Yellow Wagtail April 8 Average (37) April 1 Bittell

5 Blithfield 13 Kingsbury 14 Belvide 15 Many records

Tree Pipit April 10 Average (36) April 16 Cannock Chase

24 Ladywalk 24 Blithfield 25 Wyre Forest

House Mart in April 11 Average (39) April 2 Bodymoor Heath

11 Cannock 16 Belvide 18 Many records

Common Sandpiper April 11 Average (37) April 15 Leamington Spa

15 Belvide 18 Bittell

19 Several records

Redstart April 12 Average (37) April 21 Upton Warren

24 Seven Springs 28 Blithfield

Departure

Sept 14 Average (30) Oct 13 Belvide

8 Gailey 4 Draycote

Sept 24 Upton Warren

Oct 3 Average (36) Oct 20 Upton Warren

7 Ladywalk 5 Hoar Cross

Sept 30 Draycote 30 Burton on Trent

Sept 14 Average (35) Oct 3 Bartley Sept 16 Leamington Spa

11 Several records

Oct 25 Average (39) Nov 5 Armitage Oct 28 Leamington Spa

21 Rushall 21 Bittell 21 Burton on Trent

Oct 13 Average (34) Dec 30 Blithfield

29 Cannock reservoir 9 Shustoke

Sept 13 Average (36) Sept 28 Yoxall

23 Leamington Spa 19 Cannock reservoir 16 Erdington

88

Arrival Departure

Cuckoo April 14 Average (37) April 9 Warwick

23 Astwood Bank 24 Many records

Sept 15 Average (35) Sept 11 Ladywalk

10 Alvecote 1 Brownhills

Whitethroat April 17 Average (39) April 7 Ufton Fields NR

22 Yoxall 24 Shelfield 25 Bittell

Sedge Warbler April 19 Average (37) April 15 Leamington Spa

19 Gailey 24 Alvecote

Grasshopper Warbler April 19 Average (37) April 20 Ufton Fields NR

24 Blithfield 26 Upton Warren 28 Several records

Sept 21 Average (39) Sept 28 Branston

25 Leamington Spa 22 Alvecote 16 Several records

Sept23 Average (30) Sept 29 Bodymoor Heath

23 Leamington Spa 21 Belvide

Aug 20 Average (21)

NO RECORDS RECEIVED

Nightingale April 22 Average (37) April 27 Waverley Wood May 6 Wellesbourne

Wood Warbler April 23 Average (37) April 25 Wyre Forest

25 Cannock Chase 25 Sutton Park 26 Hopwas

Pied Flycatcher April 24 Average (26) April 25 Wyre Forest May 5 Gailey

7 Edgbaston Park

NO RECORDS RECEIVED

Aug 11 Average (27) Aug 13 Harbury

7 Seven Springs

NO RECORDS RECEIVED

89

Arrival

Lesser Whitethroat April 24 Average (37) April 24 Leamington Spa

28 Alvecote May 1 Several records

Swi f t April 24 Average (39) April 28 Bodymoor Heath

29 Many records

Garden Warbler April 25 Average (36) April 22 Compton Verney

24 Norton 25 Gailey 28 Blithfield

Whinchat April 25 Average (37) April 28 Yoxall

29 Upton Warren May 4 Brierley Hill

Reed Warbler April 29 Average (33) April 29 Westwood

29 Copmere May 3 Ladywalk

4 Alvecote

Turtle Dove April 30 Average (38) April 25 Leamington Spa May 4 Bodymoor Heath

5 Kings Bromley 6 Several records

Departure

Sept 14 Average (37) Oct 4 Inkberrow Sept 24 Weston Park

23 Leamington Spa 20 Upton Warren

Sept 10 Average (39) Sept 29 Cannock reservoir

23 Leamington Spa 16 Solihull

Aug 27 Average (35) Sept 17 Erdington

16 Leamington Spa 9 Ladywalk 8 Old Hills

Sept26 Average (34) Oct 8 Brierley Hill

6 Upton Warren Sept 23 Ufton Fields NR

23 Wilden

Sept 16 Average (25) Sept 18 Belvide

15 Alvecote 9 Westwood

Sept 19 Average (38) Oct 6 Whittington SF

2 Longdon Sept 29 Leamington Spa

23 Himley 22 Marston Doles

Corncrake NO RECORDS NO RECORDS

90

Arrival

Spotted Flycatcher May 4 Average (36) April 24 Leamington Spa

26 Yoxall May 3 Bittell

4 Several records

Nightjar May 17 Average (33) May 26 Kinver Edge

Red-backed Shrike May 18 Average (14) NO RECORDS

Quail June 16 Brandon

Departure

Sept21 Average (36) Sept 25 Barton-u-Needwood

23 Dudley 22 Burton on Trent 20 Cannock reservoir

Aug 16 Average (22) Aug 30 Sherbrook Valley

NO RECORDS

NO RECORDS

Marsh Warbler June 3 Average (25) NO RECORDS June 9 Nafford

Golden Plover Sept 7 Average (28) April 11 Average (28) July 30 Alvecote April 27 Whitley Heath Aug 1 Blithfield 19 Essington Sept 11 Belvide Mar 28 Bodymoor Heath

24 Middleton

Wigeon Sept 6 Average (35) Aug 4 Draycote

9 Blithfield 17 Bittell 21 Belvide

April 26 Average (39) April 27 Draycote

25 Bartley 19 Belvide 17 Blithfield

Two summered Belvide

Redwing Oct 2 Average (39) Sept 24 Hall Green Oct 1 Many records

April 12 Average (39) April 24 Norbury

22 Woodcote Green 22 Norton 20 Several records

Arrival

Pintail Sept 30 Average (27) June 18 Bodymoor Heath July 10 Alvecote

28 Blithfield Aug 30 Draycote

Jack Snipe Oct 9 Average (32) Aug 26 Bodymoor Heath Sept 22 Draycote

22 Blithfield 23 Bittell 25 Belvide

Brambling Oct 13 Average (39) Sept 30 Yoxall Oct 4 Draycote

6 Cannock Chase

Fieldfare Oct 11 Average (38) Sept 16 Barton-u-Needwood

28 Leamington Spa 30 Bittell

Oct 1 Elmley Castle 5 Twiland Wood

Goldeneye Oct 16 Average (35) Aug 1 Blithfield

30 Belvide Oct 6 Meriden

7 Draycote

91

Departure

April 10 Average (33) April 15 Bodymoor Heath

8 Upton Warren 6 Bittell 3 Draycote

April 3 Average (29) April 27 Cannock reservoir

15 Bodymoor Heath 7 Ufton Fields NR

Mar 29 Northwick Marsh

April 8 Average (38) May 12 Springslade

2 Bittell April 25 Belvide

24 Kinver 24 Handsacre

April 27 Average (38) May 6 Blymhill

3 Halesowen 1 Austy Wood 1 Handsacre

April 29 Alvecote

April 27 Average (36) May 5 Draycote April 29 Belvide

28 Blithfield 27 Cannock reservoir

Summer records from Gailey, Bodymoor and Bewdley

92

Arrival

Siskin Oct 17 Average (36) Sept 10 Gailey

18 Cannock reservoir 30 Bittell

Oct 11 Twiland Wood 12 Seven Springs Summer records from Cannock Chase and Stour Valley

Goosander Nov 14 Average (34) April 2 Average (34) Oct 27 Belvide April 27 Blithfield

28 Blithfield 25 Gailey Nov 18 Shustoke Dec 2 Bodymoor Heath

Summered at Blithfield

Departure

April 6 Average (37) April 26 Shoal Hill

25 Springslade Lodge 24 Kinver

Smew Dec 15 Average (28) Mar 2 Average (25) NO RECORDS NO RECORDS

93

Key to Contributors

The following members and non-members have forwarded material for the report.

J Abbott M W Cooke L Goodyer M J Inskip G R Allcott M C Cooper R F Grant G F Appleton J Corbett J Green A F Jacobs R Armfield D J Corley F C Gribble D E Jebbett G A Arnold B Craddock C R Griffiths A Jefferson M A Arnold R A Crockson G 1 Griffiths R J Jennett

A P Crockson R Griffiths *N S Jones F Baldry B Cross (BCr) Brandon Marsh Mrs V A Baldry Conservation A Keatley

R S Kennard fR Barnes (RBa) N J d'Agorne Group A Keatley R S Kennard

Miss D L Barrass A J Dean H W Key P A Kilgallen K N Kingscott B L Kington D Knight

L R Bayes A R Dean A Hancock H W Key P A Kilgallen K N Kingscott B L Kington D Knight

G Beech B R Dean T Hancocks

H W Key P A Kilgallen K N Kingscott B L Kington D Knight

B Bentley P G Deans D J Handford

H W Key P A Kilgallen K N Kingscott B L Kington D Knight K J Bentley P K Dedicoat J W Handley

H W Key P A Kilgallen K N Kingscott B L Kington D Knight

A R M Blake 1 J Dix A D Hands

H W Key P A Kilgallen K N Kingscott B L Kington D Knight

Mrs D M Boss C Dodson S Harrap J C Lamming fMrs 0 L Lancaster tT W Lancaster

H T Lees E W Longman J Lord

tR Boss M H Bourne

E S Dorsett R A Dowen

D C Harris G R Harrison

J C Lamming fMrs 0 L Lancaster tT W Lancaster

H T Lees E W Longman J Lord

tE J Bradford T Doyle Mrs J V Harrison

J C Lamming fMrs 0 L Lancaster tT W Lancaster

H T Lees E W Longman J Lord

M A Brazil D A Hastilow

J C Lamming fMrs 0 L Lancaster tT W Lancaster

H T Lees E W Longman J Lord S Brewer A Eardley A W Hatfield

J C Lamming fMrs 0 L Lancaster tT W Lancaster

H T Lees E W Longman J Lord R C Broadbent M Eastland D M Hawker

J C Lamming fMrs 0 L Lancaster tT W Lancaster

H T Lees E W Longman J Lord

P Brookes fMiss E A Eatell C J Hawkridge H M MacGregor C P Brooking K S Edwards R J Haycock H M MacGregor

R M Broughton S F L Edwards S M Haynes C McGowen S C Brown G Eldridge (G£7) Mrs A Heathcote C Mabelle (CMa) R Brownsword D Emley R J Hedges (RJHe) B M Marsh G E Bruton G Evans H S Hemsley Hall M Marsland J E T Burton fMrs 1 M Evans Mrs J M Heynes R M askew D E Butler (JMHe) R Mather (RMa)

F Fincher M D Higgins C Mills (CMi) D Campbell R Fletcher J R Hodson t D N Mirecki E S Clare M F Foley (JRHo) Mrs J Moore D A Clay T W Ford J Holland B R Morris K Clifford J E Fortey S P Hollinrake J R Mountford Mrs E Cloake M Fuszard M J Hollis A E Coleman E A Hopkins J E Newcombe

(.AECo) N Garnett G R Hopkins Miss M Newton J R Coleman B C George N P Hopkins C A Norris A E Coles W George H Hughes A Collins R Gibbs R A Hume G J Oliver J Collins (JCo) *F Gibson P D Hyde Mrs E Owen

94

D W Parker C R utter R D Sutton G W Ward T E C Parker P Symonds (PSy) M J Warren E G Phillips Mrs M Scaife Miss Y M Way D F Pickering S Scaife A R Taylor K A Webb A R Plant King Edward's Mrs L Y Taylor N R Went C W Plant School Ornitho- P B Taylor D R West D 1 Porter logical Section P C Taylor R Wetherill C H Potter Mrs A Shaw D M Thomas 1 C Whitehouse P R Powell J S Shindler G Thomas M Whitehouse E J Pratley P Shooter K H Thomas S M Whitehouse

f C Small (CSm) R Thompson G J Wilcox R B Ratcliffe D Smallshire Miss S Thompson N A J Wilde K Rawlinson R L Smallwood P Till C Wilson A J Richards M S Smith G E Timmins Mrs F N Woodward N G J Richards R K Smith P C Turner Rev F J Wootton J H W Ridley T C Smout R P Wright B Robertson N J Speak t D T Underhill D H Rogers R Stanbridge R Rooke G Summers J Wagstaff D W Yalden Miss E M Rose C Surman T A Walsh R Young

t Member of Warwick Natural Hist. Society

* Member of Nuneaton and Dist. Bird Club

95

Species requiring descriptions In order to reduce the considerable volume of correspondence and to assist the speedy filing of records members are asked to submit descriptions in support of reports of the following species. A full and detailed description is not necessarily required for the less rare or difficult species, but enough to show how the species was identified. Such descriptions should be accompanied by brief details of the circum-stances of the report and the observers' experience of the species or " confusion species."

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 or Little Petrels and Shearwaters Gannet and Shag Herons other than Grey Duck : Red-crested Pochard, Ferruginous Duck, Scaup, Long-tailed Duck,

All spp. of Scoter, Eider, Red-breasted Merganser, Smew. Geese other than Canada and White-fronted Whooper Swan Birds of Prey except Kestrel, Sparrow Hawk and Buzzard Quail Crakes other than Water Rail Waders: Kentish Plover, Grey Plover, Dotterel, Wood Sandpiper, Purple

Sandpiper, Temminck's Stint, Pectoral Sandpiper, Avocet. Phalaropes Skuas Gulls: Glaucous, Iceland, Mediterranean, Little, Sabines, Kittiwake. Terns: Roseate, Little, Sandwich Auks Long-eared Owl Hoopoe, Wryneck, Golden Oriole Woodlark, Shore Lark Raven Bearded Tit

96

Black Redstart Bluethroat Warblers: Marsh, Melodious, Icterine, Barred, Dartford, Yellow-browed. Red-breasted Flycatcher Richard's Pipit Rock/Water Pipit Waxwing Shrikes Hawfinch Twite away from breeding and regular wintering localities. Buntings: Cirl, Ortolan, Lapland, Snow.

This photograph of a hen House Sparrow shows what an attractive bird this really is when looked at closely.

Photographs SC Brown front cover S C Porter inside front cover M Wilkes inside back cover

Printing Charles Clarke (Haywards Heath) Ltd, Sussex