13th December 2012

Castlecroft Bridge dawn skywatch, Wightwick Fields, Staffs and Worcs Canal from Castlecroft Bridge to Newbridge and quick run through paddocks and Compton Park.

6 Little Grebe (1 Wightwick Lock, 2 Compton Allotments, 1 below Compton Lock, 2 Tennis Club)
Grey Heron Wightwick Fields
2 Adult/ 2 Juv Mute Swan on canal just North of Castlecroft Bridge, none ringed.
61 Mallard along canal 21 mid section and 40 South section
5 Buzzard 2 adult/1 juv Wightwick Fields, 1 Peasley Wood, 1 Eddys Alders
2+ Sparrowhawk female at Castlecroft Bridge, male mobbed by Crow at Newbridge and later 1 sat in bushes by the main paddock
Female Kestrel Wightwick Road Bridge
32 Moorhen along canal 19 South section and 13 mid section
Coot Meccano Bridge
50 LBB Gulls mainly East over Castlecroft Bridge
408 Woodpigeon South over Castlecroft Bridge (500+ feeding later in Pool Hall area)
Kingfisher on Smestow at Wightwick Fields
Green Woodpecker Eddys Alders
G S Woodpecker North of Castlecroft Bridge
Meadow Pipit over Castlecroft Bridge
Pied Wagtail at Castlecroft Bridge
Grey Wagtail female at Prefab Weir
7 Redwing (2+ Wightwick Fields, 3+ North of Castlecroft Bridge, 2+ St. Edmunds)
Mistle Thrush 1 at Wightwick Fields
3 Fieldfare 2 at Castlecroft Bridge 1 North of Castlecroft Bridge
Goldcrest Compton Park
Coal Tit Compton Park
35+ L T Tits (c10 North of Castlecroft Bridge, c10 The Dell, c15 Compton Lock)
Nuthatch Main Paddock Newbridge
Jay Compton Allotments
33 Starling South over Castlecroft Bridge, presumably to feed at Trescott Sewage Works
c5 House Sparrow Compton Park Gardens
Linnet South over Castlecroft Bridge
5+ Goldfinch Castlecroft Bridge Area
Siskin South over Wightwick Fields
Redpoll 1 over the Dell
17+ Greenfinch around Castlecroft Bridge and towpath just North
7+ Bullfinch (2+ Wightwick Mill Lock, 3+ The Dell, 2+ The Academy
Male Reed Bunting calling from Hawthorn tops just North of Castlecroft Bridge
12+ Yellowhammer (5+ round Castlecroft Bridge and 7 East over)

TOTAL 48 Species!!!