Roosts in Valley

Given the dearth of bird movements in desperation for something to report here is a bit on daily movements of corvids.
The black members of the family seem to be quite flexible in their choice of roosting place.  It seems to vary dependent on the use of the racecourse and aldersley stadium.
The number of birds is around 400 most obviously Jackdaws which are the most vocal but including Crows and Rooks.  Site choices are Aldersley canal junction, the racecourse by the pool, the stadium poplars or the water bridge copse.
The Magpies are more picky always choosing the trees and bushes around Oxley bank, height varying a bit with wind strength but generally lower than their monochrome cousins.  A few days ago I went down about half four and counted 81 already there and then another 50 arriving singly from the West over the canal.  returning to the roost I counted 133 which must be an underestimate because they arrive from all directions.  Yesterday noted 15 in a pre-roost by Water bridge, where there were two contrasting Little Grebes one in full summer plumage the other still in full winter.  Wonder if it has anything to do with age of the bird?
Finally I found the finch flock(50ish) which usually graces the stadium just north of Autherley junction; mainly chaffinch , goldfinch and lesser redpoll with at least one siskin.

update

Not a lot to report with the continuing mild weather.
The cold night just over a week ago did produce the sight of four Little Grebes huddled together by the boats at the Wildside Centre, perhaps will be same tonight.
Song Thrushs are singing and Nuthatchs calling with some Great Spotted Woodpecker drumming.
Redwings seem to be moving into the fields having gorged on the berries and are now joining Fieldfare.
So we are not seeing displaced birds and neither do we seem to be getting Redpoll and Siskin. In the surrounding farmland Yellowhammer and the 2 Partridges are conspicuous by their absence. is this also due to a poor breeding season caused by last years late spring?
Finally a belated record from last year which I initially hesitated to put up was an immature/female Merlin on 17th November at 3pm. As often happens with this species it was a one day wonder being seen flying from the bottom of the Lupin field towards barnhurst sewage works. (I saw an adult male at Featherstone last Saturday).

Moorhens are climbing, Goldcrests

are chasing, Coots are contesting

NEWBRIDGE,  JANUARY 4th,  2014

Cold and damp but comparatively calm, a break in this seemingly endless run of storms that have battered out the Old Year and blown in the New.  The trees are bare, trunks glistening with overnight rain, the paths through the wood brown and damp under a carpet of rotting leaves and broken branches.  Birds and humans are out and about again, a weekend clutch of joggers striding their way along the towpath, dog-walkers waiting patiently as their pets nose the earth by the canal arm bridge.  Above them Crows and Magpies call in the leafless treetops as Chaffinch, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Robin, Dunnock and Wren busy themselves in bankside bushes.  Two Stock Dove fan in and perch close together, their iridescent neck patches clear even in the dull light, a Nutchatch calls, and the clear but as yet subdued notes from a Song Thrush and the hollow drumming of a Great Spotted Woodpecker show that woodland territories are already being proclaimed.  A single Redwing arrows its way across the school playingfields, and thin high-pitched calls are traced to two tiny shapes flitting and fluttering their way along a hedgeline.  It's courtship time for Goldcrests, the birds calling continuously, the male's crest flaring and spreading from yellow to orange as he pursues his intended mate.  There's a sudden movement in treetops beyond the towpath, black wings arching upwards as a squat, unfamiliar shape edges its way slowly out along one of the highest branches to sit quietly next to another of its kind, two Moorhen, at least 15 to 20 metres above the ground.  It's not unusual to see this species climbing out of the water at dusk to roost in bushes and low trees, but these two seem to be high-altitude specialists.  Minutes later they've disappeared, presumably having flown back down to resume their patrols, low along the edges of the canal.  That's some change of scene.

DUNSTALL PARK,  JANUARY 5th,  2014                               

A westerly breeze, another dull day, and a mid-morning check at the racecourse reveals at least 200 Canada Geese and two Greylags grazing as 220-plus Black-headed Gull, an immature Herring Gull and 10 Lesser Black-backed Gull rest and preen.  The gulls rise suddenly as a Buzzard comes in low to skim the grass and head towards the Farndale estate perimeter, pursued by corvids.   Some of the gulls move to the shelter of the lake, where three male and one female Shoveler edge out from the island, and nine female and 13 male Teal fly up and then settle near two at least seven Coot.  Numbers of this highly territorial bird have risen in the comparatively warm weather of recent weeks, and even this early in the year, pairs are gearing up for noisy and aggressive clashes as they defend nesting areas.   Two Grey Heron stand hunched in rough grass near the shoreline, a single Snipe is motionless at the base of the island, and thin calls from bankside sallows reveal the presence of a single male Reed Bunting, the washed-out version of his dark black summer bib just visible.  After a few minutes he flies off towards the west, and I walk back towards the east, and to a cup of hot Bovril at home.  Cheers.

(Dunstall Park is a closed commercial site.  Access is strictly controlled).        

PS.  This morning (January 6th), a male Blackcap is bossing birds on my garden fatball feeder. Long may he stay . . .

 

 

Barleyfield

sat 4 jan 2014             mid section         early morning

Just a quicky

Early morning around the mid  section  did't produce much, but as I sat on the seat at the top of Barleyfield I pick up a small Phylloscopus warbler in the Blackthorn near the top SW exit leading to the railway track. It quickly disappeared and after 45 mins it could't be relocated. It was probably a common chiffchaff but with plenty of siberian chiffchaffs around just now its worth keeping an eye out for if anyone visits the Barleyfield.

December update

Firstly a Happy New Year to all our readers (if we have any).
Just a few notes for December which as others have commented seems to have been pretty quiet.
Gadwall: If we do get a cold snap then well worth looking out for them on the main canal which presumably due to the influence of the sewage works doesn't freeze between Oxley and Castlecroft.
Reason I say this is 2 males were at Pool Hall and 10 birds at Pendeford mill just before Xmas
Little Grebe: Still with us on canal but quite mobile and very much favouring the middle of valley
Kingfisher: Again still with us but probably not if we get cold snap, favouring the Meccano area.
Redwing/Fieldfare: These along with other members of the Thrush family are the subject of a survey by the BTO (British Trust for Ornithology) now in its 2nd year.  Not sure if anyone in the valley is submitting records which anyone can do.  My impression is we have lots of groups of Redwing which are feasting in gardens on berries whilst fieldfare are more likely to be encountered on the edges of the conurbation feeding in fields in bigger groups.
Goldcrest, Treecreeper and Nuthatch:  All three seem quite prominent and enjoying good food supplies.
Reed Bunting: A bird on the western boundary of the barleyfield was a surprise on Xmas morning.

Finally star of the month was a Water vole. 2 sightings around Hordern Rd bridge including one obliging animal which crawled out of the canal and crossed the towpath a few yards in front of me!!

HEADS OR TAILS, MALE TEALS WIN

WHEN IT COMES TO WOOING . . .

Dunstall Park

Sunday December 29th 2013

Cold, calm, bright, slight frost, mid-morning.

The gales of recent days have blown themslves out, new ones are forecast, but at least now there's a brief respite between storms as the year nears its end.  Clear overnight skies have brought a frost, but not hard enough to put off at least 175 Canada Geese which with two Greylag Geese graze the central grass area near to resting groups of c.380 Black-headed Gull,  35 adult Lesser Black-backed Gull and a single adult Herring Gull.  Around 20 per cent of the lake is covered with thin ice, five Coot busy themselves on the open water, two adult and an immature Moorhen tread gingerly along the shoreline, and at least seven Snipe rest and preen in the morning sunshine between sandy-coloured rocks along the base of the island.  An adult Grey Heron stands motionless on the grass banks, looking down as a single male Shoveler pushes out from the shore, and a group of  12 Teal emerge one by one from the spiked aquatic grass.  This diminutive duck species has been at the lake since late summer (22 birds were present on October 22nd), and the group that remains are mostly males, now resplendent in full chestnut, green, grey, white and yellow breeding plumage.  They are determined to impress the four or so light-brown females, escorting and chasing, giving high fluted calls and pushing their heads and tails skywards in a exaggerated banana-shaped attempt to catch the eye (the species' collective name is a "spring", capturing perfectly their ability to rise instantly and vertically into the air when disturbed).  A Wren and a Robin are heard and seen in shoreline bushes, two species which have become more frequent visitors to the lake as the waterside vegetation has spread, and two Stock Dove float in to perch in the canalside oak copse near the Water Bridge.  Corvid commotion often means there's a raptor about, and sure enough at least six Crows and a couple of Magpies surround a Common Buzzard as it sits on the banked grass between the racetrack and  service road.  Quite what it's up to is unclear, but if it's looking for worms there's no joy, and it flies up on to a junction box on the side of one the light pylons which line the course perimeter.  The corvids won't give up, and eventually the Buzzard drops off the pylon and flaps slowly away towards the northern end of the site.  The tree-lined western edge of the racecourse is a quiet reflection of a calm day, there's nothing about, so it's back across the tracks and grass to the warmth of the hotel and its reception staff.  A Happy New Year to them, and to you all.

NB. Dunstall Park is a restricted commercial site.   Access is strictly controlled.


DRUM FINALE TO A QUIET YEAR

All told, a quiet end to a quiet year for the whole of the Smestow Valley.  Autumn passage wader records have been few across the region, not helped by high water levels at lakes and reservoirs, but a Green Sandpiper was present from December 1st to at least 4th at Dunstall Park, only the second winter record for the site.  A male Peregrine visited the racecourse on December 4th, and a wintering Coot was on the canal by Newbridge wood on December 16th.  Relatively warm weather encouraged a few singing birds, including single Mistle Thrush near the canalside flats by Hordern Road on December  16th and by Newbridge playingfield on December 24th.  And, sandwiched between the squalls and rain, came the sounds of spring in Newbridge wood on a calm, clear morning on December  29th . . . territorial calls from at least one Nuthatch, and, high in the bare trees, a male Great Spotted Woodpecker drumming away for all the world to hear.








   
 


         


        
 

Proposed development at rear of "The Cedars", Compton Road - Update

Apologies to everyone. I have had a bit of leave and just getting back into the driving seat, so to speak!!

The "Exhibition" for the above development has quickly transformed into a planning application.

You can find the application by searching for 13/01181/FUL at the following link:

http://www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/article/2132/Planning-applications

If you wish to comment about the proposed application, you have to do so by 24th December 2013.

If you are unfamiliar with the council planning site, click on the tabs to view the map and make a comment.

You will see from the map that this proposal covers land which is, again, right alongside the Eastern Border of the Barleyfield - a site that provides immense pleasure and biodiversity for all to enjoy.

We have been concerned about increased disturbance in an area that still records Willow Tit, Reed Bunting and Yellowhammer, and hosts a wide range of habitats and species. The Eastern border provides shelter for a variety of breeding species as well as significant flocks of Winter feeders.

Wolverhampton Council, recently helped by providing additional areas of uncut grass to help as buffers. Geoff and I both hold records to show that these measures have helped wildlife, so it is sad that this important area is having to endure more challenges.

If you have strong views, please get involved.

Thank you.

P.S. I will be back on the patch soon, and I am looking to organize a "Winter sounds" walk - a fun tour of the mid-section giving an opportunity to learn common bird calls and song, before it all get's beautifully noisy but complicated in the Spring!!

Anyone interested, please email me and once numbers have built, I will plan a convenient date with you all.

journey into unknown

Seemed like a good day to road test the new hearing aid so set off from Newbridge for the almost unfrequented bit of land just north of the viaducts.
It worked immediately getting me a goldcrest on the Smestow I would otherwise have missed and bringing me various thrush noises in the stadium area.
Anyway took life in hands and ventured under the viaduct on east bank of canal.  Always expect more than get from this patch but it did give me an alternative view of the Jackdaws as they gathered late afternoon.  About 200 were in the trees by railway line prior to moving towards racecourse.  they were then joined at 3.45 by another flock of between 200 and 250 arriving from the north.  this contrasts with the magpies which only seem to start coming in as light fades and in ones and twos.
2 little Grebe north of water bridge and updating last week female blackcap by boatyard footbridge same spot as last year.

MUGGED STARLINGS, MORE SWANS

AND A WINTERING WARBLER . . .

 

Dunstall Park

Saturday,  16th November

Mid-morning, dull, cool, damp, calm.

Well, the Mute Swans are still here, and now there are more of them.  Three adults and six youngsters were on the lake on November 9th, and since then one of the juveniles (its plumage was slightly more advanced then the other five) has departed, and at least two more adults have arrived.  The water level is still high, so perhaps they'll stay.  The Gadwall pair first seen at the start of the month are still here, sharing the water with five male and a female Shoveler and seven male and five female Teal.  At least three Coot are still present (adults and youngsters seen during the summer will have joined wintering rafts of their species at reservoirs such as Pool Hall, Gailey, Belvide and Chasewater), a young Moorhen picks its way along the base of the island, where at least six Snipe rest and preen among the rocks.  Thin notes from three Dunnock show how the lake's flourishing waterside vegetation is starting to attract small passerines,  a single Rook calls from the top of a tree near to where it and others of its species now nest by the Staffs & Worcs Canal,  six Goldfinch tinkle and twitter by lock 20 on the Birmingham Canal, and at least 25 Redwing arrow across and drop down over Aldersley, perhaps spooked by an unseen raptor.  On the central grass area 20 Lesser Black-backed Gull and two adult and one first-winter Herring Gull rest and preen, while some of a group of c.150 Black-headed Gull forage with a flock of at least the same number of Starling.  Closer observation shows there's a darker side to the Black-headeds' activities, for every few minutes a Starling will fly up and away from its feeding companions, with a gull hot on its tail.  The smaller bird tries to escape with a small worm or some other food item it has found, the gull won't give up the chase, the two species twist and turn, eventually the Starling loses its pursuer (one Starling flies to the top of a floodlight pylon and hides among the lamps), and the gull glides back down on to the grass to look for another potential victim.  I've seen Black-headeds do this to foraging Redwing on a playingfield, taking advantage of the smaller species' ability to find food. 

  

Dunstall Park

Tuesday,  19th November

Winter's here now, the leaves are turning and falling, the wind's in the north west, it's cold, with broken cloud.  Two of the Mute Swan adults have left the lake, and it seems the two that remain are parents to the five youngsters which are feeding quietly along the edges of the beds of aquatic grass.  The six Shoveler are still here, at least five Teal are visible (accurate counts of such a wary species can often only be made if  the ducks are frightened into flight), and two Snipe sit  motionless at the base of the island.  Coarse calls from trees and bushes along the south western side of the site bordering the former Valley Park School come from a loose group of c.40 Crows, typically worked up about nothing much, and 35 Canada Geese are foraging on grass by the all-weather track with two Greylag Geese, one of which flies off towards the city, its cackling call failing to persuade its companion to follow it.  A Buzzard lifts off from trees just south of Aldersley canal junction, a striking male Bullfinch sits at the base of a hawthorn, and, towards the top of a silver birch, a small shape hovers hummingbird-style under the crisp orange leaves, a Chiffchaff, my first warbler for the valley this winter.  Suddenly, the morning seems warmer . . .       

Dunstall Park

Saturday, 23rd November

Frost last night, morning mist clearing, the slightest of breezes from the north east, and sure enough, at least half the lake covered by thin ice.  Ones, twos, fives and threes, foraging Snipe are flushed, scratched alarm calls as they slant low across the stiff white-edged grass and over the wire fence towards the shelter of the shoreline and island, at least 20, their numbers having dramatically increased in recent days as the temperatures dropped.   On the lake are one adult and one juvenile Mute Swan, presumably the only ones of the family of seven to have stayed.  Six male and a female Teal are still there, four Coot chug along the ice-free passages, two Mistle Thrush rattle their way over the lake towards the Farndale estate (one was singing on Friday by the canal at Dimmingsdale near Pool Hall), and at least 25 Fieldfare and a handful of Redwing move noiselessly north eastwards across a dull sky.  The trees may still spell autumn, but it's winter now.  

(Dunstall Park is a closed commercial site.  Access is strictly controlled.)

    

                

wintering birds

Walk to pool hall this afternoon supplemented by sightings earlier in the month
Best bird was a male Goosander which flew from the direction of Pool Hall over my head as I passed under castle Croft bridge and headed north up the valley.
There seem to be at least 4 Little Grebes maybe 5 as per Geoff.
Two Juvenile Grey Wagtails again one around Compton and one around the water bridge.
Fieldfare were close to 100 at castle croft bridge but only handful of Redwing.
No kingfisher today but previously seen anywhere between castlecroft and the smestow at horern rd, set me wondering if two different birds?
Pool Hal held 17 tufted duck 40+coot and another little grebe.
17 was also the number of Canadas line astern at wightwick on the canal with the last bird being noticeably smaller with a smaller white face patch.
last week treecreeper on railway by hordern rd and plenty of Jays
other corvid news was of roosting with 200 jackdaw at the canal junction and a mixed group including rook and crow by water bridge which may have also been 200 strong but hard to count because of vegetation.  Similarly could only see 60 magpie in their roost at Oxley because of the leaves. (up to 150 in past)
Finally a summer sighting I omitted from last round up on the last thursdayu in August just as I left Racecourse drive and turned onto gorsebrook rd a Hobby flew overhead went across racecourse circled lake and disappeared.

sat 16 November 2013                         09:15 - 12:15

mid section                        o/cast and mild, calm,

The Barleyfield was quiet today so all the interest was to come from the canal,were I had a grey wagtail at Compton Lock, a coal tit and a goldcrest just south of the Prefabs, a male kingfisher just north of Meccano Bridge, which after following along the canal for a while,eventually crossed over the canal to the Smestow alongside the Paddock. Also 2 little grebe in the same area ( 1 of which was north of Tettenhall Rd 3 hours earlier when I started this morning ).

fri 15 November 2013                      08:40 - 11:45

mid section                                     o/cast  dull

Another mirky morning found me struggling to get to grips with a mixed flock of finches in tree tops near Graisley Culvert. It turned out to hold a male brambling, 2 siskin, c10 goldfinch and c10 chaffinch, also in the same area 5 bullfinch. Later seen to transfer to the alders either side of the new lake. On the canal I had 4 little grebe, 1 by the tennis club and 3 north of Tettenhall Rd.

Nature4Kids@Christmas virtual wildlife store 2013 - All you need to find great gifts for children that will help the State of Nature!!

Firstly, thank you to everyone that joined Geoff Russon and I on our "wild" walk at the weekend!! We were blessed with glorious sunshine and warm company. Thoroughly enjoyed it and hope you all did too.

Thank you to Maureen and Alex for your wildlife records too. You will both be receiving invites to become blog authors over the weekend!!

I have created a virtual Christmas store to support our amazing wildlife organisations. It provides all your charitable wildlife online shops under one roof. A supermarket that cares, if you like!

You can visit it at:

http://movingmountains4nature.blogspot.co.uk/2013/11/nature4kidschristmas-virtual-wildlife.html

I am setting up Aisle 3 in the store at the moment. This will be used to display gifts, goods and produce supplied by green businesses and farmers that work WITH rather than against nature.

To all our blogger readers, please could you add the above link to your site as it will help to give our wildlife organisations more resources to help nature in 2014. Your help is really appreciated.

Our site is being restyled soon so if you are a wildlife blogger or local friendly group, please contact me at smestowsightings@gmail.com and I will add you to our new links.

Lastly just to update you with what seen during our walk on Sunday 10th November 2013:

My prayers were answered and we had Northerly winds, which provided the group with the spectacle of Woodpigeon migration!!

Skywatch:

1,233 Woodpigeon South
86 Starling S/SW
30+ Fieldfare SW
30+ Redwing S/SW
3 Meadow pipit

Other sightings:
Kingfisher near Compton Lock and later North of Mecccano Bridge
25+ Goldfinch at Eddys Alders
3 Little Grebe: 1 below the lock and 2 near the Academy
Green Woodpecker
Great Spotted Woodpecker
10+ Bullfinch with 3 males and two females together between Prefab Weir and Meccano Bridge

Smestow Valley Wild Walk, November 10th

Seven intrepid nature lovers starting out on a wild walk on a beautiful November morning, with Chris and Geoff from the Smestow Valley Birders leading the way.

The early morning sunlight brought out the autumn colours of the trees by the Railway Walk and Tettenhall Ridge beyond.

A half-hour sky watch done, and time to get on the move.

At Compton Lock, with two little grebes downstream.

Further along the towpath, five song thrushes were at the top of a tree on the other bank.

As we reached Meccano Bridge, we were ready to step out of the shade.

Two little grebes here got most people's attention, but the dog seemed more interested in what I was doing.

The dabchicks were busy fishing ...

and, as usual, staying just a little too far away to pose for a good picture.

The final stop before we all headed for our homes and a hot drink - Freshwater Pool
Reposted from Wolves Wild.

Proposed Residential Development at the Cedars

I have been informed this evening that local residents have received letters regarding a proposed development of 12 residential dwellings on the site of the former City of Wolverhampton College Horticulture Centre along the Compton Road adjacent to Compton Park.

A public exhibition is to be held on Tuesday 19th November 2013 between 2pm and 8pm at City of Wolverhampton College Paget Road Campus.

The letter advises that a planning application will be submitted during November and Wolverhampton City Council will undertake a formal consultation process seeking views regarding the proposals.

If you cannot attend the "exhibition" but would like further information, residents have been advised to contact rosed@wolvcoll.ac.uk.

There is obvious concern being already aired that this will affect the area of Smestow Valley LNR in the vicinity of the Barleyfield. To this end, anyone with strong views can contact me at smestowsightings@gmail.com. Please ensure that you also involve yourselves directly in the consultation process.

I apologise for the short notice regarding this matter. Quite a few of us did ask for assurances following rumours earlier in the year. It's just a shame that those rumours have proved to be true and now residents have been given very little notice to act. I hope as many people as possible can make it on Tuesday to look at the proposals and get involved in the consultation process.

Thank you

Mud and snipe may have vanished,

but for swans the lake's spot on . . .

Dunstall Park

Saturday, November 9th, 10.00 to 11.30, dull, drizzle, clearing later.

Miserable morning, but fresh air better than staying in, so on with the rain gear and off to check the racecourse lake.  The water level's as high as it's been all year, the mud margins are minimal, so no sign of Snipe (there were at least 20 present at the beginning of October), but some stately visitors have already found the depth to their liking, a group of Mute Swan, feeding and preening quietly.  There are three adults and six grey-brown juveniles, difficult to say whether it's one family or two, but one adult distances itself somewhat, suggesting that the other two are a pair.  Two youngsters feed on their own for while, but then glide back to the group, so maybe all six are siblings (seven cygnets hatched at the lake in 2004.  The last successful nesting was in 2005).  Certainly it's the largest swan group seen here since six adults and six juveniles flew in on 2/11/2008.  Floating gently near the shoreline, a pair of Gadwall preen and sleep (they were first seen on  November 4th), at least eight Teal forage along the margins, while six male and one female Shoveler up-end near the beds of aquatic grass, bright red legs pushing backwards as half-submerged the birds feed from the lake bed.  Some of the males, most likely winter visitors from north western Europe, are now resplendent in black, white, chestnut and black-green breeding plumage.  At least six Coot busy themselves back and forward across the water, an adult and two juvenile Moorhen pick their way along the shoreline, and an adult Grey Heron calls harshly as it glides low over the lake, only to drift up over the trees and disappear down on to the Staffs & Worcs Canal.  Along the north western edge of the site all is quiet, just the glimpse of  a brown-backed Buzzard flapping noiselessly away from trees near the canal junction.  A flock of at least 200 Starling slants and slides low over the central grass area, feeding momentarily before being harried by a single Crow which forces them to fly as soon as they have settled, two adult and a second-winter Herring Gull look down from floodlight pylons, and at least 200 Black-headed Gull and 23 Lesser Black-backed Gull rest and preen on the grass.  Close to the hotel reception doors a male Pied Wagtail scurries under the parade ring railings.  What's the betting he'll be breeding here next year . . . 

                             

(Dunstall Park is a closed commercial site.  Access is strictly controlled)

PS

At Wightwick canal lock on Thursday 9th in calm, warm late-morning sunshine, wasps, flies, bees and a perfect Red Admiral butterfly feed on compact banks of sweet-smelling flowering ivy.  Nearby in the lock cottage hedge, red and pink roses are fully open.  It might as well be spring . . .       

Recent Sightings and Sunshine Forecast for Sunday's Walk!!

Highlights of recent visits to the Barleyfield:

17/10/13

Skywatch:

Lesser Black-backed Gull - 5 adults South
Woodpigeon - still no significant movements over the mid-section of the reserve - 18 South and 12 West on direct flight paths.
Skylark - 1 South over Barleyfield and one heard over Meccano Bridge area later
Meadow Pipit - 8 South
Redwing - 12 West and 18 moving locally

Other highlights:
Pied Wagtail - 25 on Meccano Bridge Playingfields.
Goldfinch - 10 around Lower Alders

19/10/13 - Overcast, light overnight rain, moderate Southerlies

Skywatch

Canada Goose - 24 SW
Woodpigeon - 33 South
Collared Dove - 1 low SW and 1 South
Pied Wagtail - 14 South/SW
Meadow Pipit - 5 South
Redwing - 73 South/SW
Fieldfare - 58 SW , largest groups of 25 and 21
Mistle Thrush - 7 South
Starling - 55 South/SW
Chaffinch - 1 SE
Linnet - 1 South and 1 SW
Siskin - 1st 2 of the Autumn NE
Greenfinch  - 4 North

Other highlights:
Tawny Owl - calling near the Crossings, just after dawn
Sparrowhawk - Male over Henwood Road area

29/10/13 - Light Westerlies after storms had hit South coast. Clearing

An excellent morning with 2 Brambling (Male and probable female) rising from the Western Border at dawn heading South and another Yellowhammer record with two females seen soon after flying out from the Crossings area to the centre of the field and then onto the Hawthorn in the Central Scrub area. They rested briefly before both leaving to the South calling. This is further evidence that the extended field margins and other un-cut areas appear to be bringing passing birds down, with the valley offering safe roosting opportunities during Autumn movements.

Skywatch:

2 propable Greylag Geese - Heading South down the valley. Only doubt came from the fact that they didn't appear to be showing any distinctive wing-pattern. Weren't vocal, which didn't help.
Fieldfare - 45 SW - largest group of 20
Redwing - 27 South with 30+ local birds along the railway line.
Starling - 9 South
Chaffinch - 5 South

30+ Goldfinch on Compton Park just SW of the tennis courts was the largest flock of the Autumn so far.

"Wild Walk" this Sunday 10th November 2013

Just a reminder that our informal skywatch and tour of the mid-section of the reserve between Compton and Newbridge is still on this Sunday.(See previous post).

We will be meeting at the top of the Barleyfield, by "Geoff's Bench" at 08:00.

The weather forecast is now looking better so it looks like we can cancel the Mac's and Umbrellas!! (Hope I didn't think that too loud!!).

Look forward to seeing everyone there.

Thank you

News News News ...From the Wildside!!

Wildside Activity Centre

First a little showcase for this important charity that promotes awareness and participation in nature activities, volunteering and conservation.

There is a full programme of fantastic events over the coming half-term week.

Full details can be found at:

http://www.wildsideac.co.uk/images/OctHalfTerm2013.jpg

So no excuse!!! Grab the kids and get down there!!

Wild-Walk

I am inviting anyone interested, to join me and as many of our valley wildlife recorders as possible on an informal walk, covering the mid-section of the valley, between Compton Bridge and Newbridge on Sunday 10th November 2013.

Dogs are welcome, as are children, if accompanied by an adult.We will start at 08:00, with a short skywatch at the top of the Barleyfield, looking for birds on the move along our valley, followed by a trip around the Barleyfield, Compton Park, along the canal and back through the paddocks, following the railway walk.

For all those interested in attending or leading groups, please send me a brief e-mail to smestowsightings@gmail.com so that I can get an idea of numbers.

New Authors

Valley users are probably aware of the presence of our local wildlife photography expert, David Ashcroft, otherwise known as the creator of "Wolves Wild" (http://wolveswild.net/). I have linked his site to this blog from the outset, and I have recently asked David to start keeping formal records of what he sees, so that it can contribute towards our understanding of wildlife, and why it is vanishing at such an alarming rate.

Talking of contributions to wildlife, I bumped into Maureen this morning, who has an excellent feeding station set up in her garden near Compton Lock. She provides an important food supply for the birds in this area, and is also going to start producing records for future valley reports

With these two "Wildlife-Warriors" contributing so much to the reserve, It is therefore fitting that I invite them both as authors to this blog and I am sure you will all join me, in warmly welcoming them to our little, caring community!!

Angus Dickie acknowledges the work of so many others, who have contributed to previous valley reports, every time I see him. Therefore, I also warmly invite anyone else who regularly watches and records wildlife in the valley to get involved by emailing me your details.

As part of the transition from paperback to online reports, I will be offering a pick-up/drop off service, so that we continue to include valuable manual records, provided by passionate enthusiasts, who are, perhaps less able or willing to start surfing the net!! Thank you so much for your continued support.

Moving Mountains Nature Network - Charity Wildlife Walk - Spring 2014

I am planning an event, which will raise awareness and trigger a strengthening of the protective nature networks, around Smestow Valley, Clayhanger Marsh (Diverse habitat and SSSI), and an important urban wildlife corridor near Harborne. Local schools will be involved, so that we can lead our children towards the beauty of Mother Nature that lies within our green spaces. Who knows, it might generate our next Sir David Attenborough or Chris Packham!!!

Any local individuals, groups, charitable organisations or businesses that would like to get involved, please register your interest at smestowsightings@gmail.com

Thank you

wed 23 oct 2013             mid afternoon

sunny but chilly westerly breeze

Very wet underfoot ( or should I say wheels ). I cycled from Compton Lock to Aldersley Junction and had my first little grebe of the autumn at Tunstall Water Br and a grey wagtail at Tettenhall Old Br.

                                         After a quiet spring, summer and autumn, cheer up it will soon be christmas! lol.

Tettenhall and District Draft Neighbourhood Plan - Have your say!!

I am in the process of ploughing through this important plan, and for so far it looks simply excellent!!!

Anyway, here is the official briefing on the plan................

The Draft Tettenhall Neighbourhood Plan for the 2 wards of Regis and Wightwick is out for public consultation until 31^st October 2013. The Plan is a national frontrunner. Its purpose is to give local people greater ownership of how their neighbourhoods are developed over the next 10 years. Once ‘made’, next year, any planning application made for a development or change of use of land or buildings in our area, will have to be assessed against the Neighbourhood Plan, alongside national and city-wide policies for planning.  It is therefore of huge importance.

The Draft Plan is based on hundreds of ideas and suggestions gathered over the last 2 years from local people and has been drafted by local residents.

Our vision states:

‘ As residents we take pride in our attractive, characterful and vibrant area, and especially in all the green spaces ranging from Smestow Valley Local Nature Reserve to small domestic gardens. Our Plan will help conserve both the places of historic interest and those most appreciated in the Character Studies which were carried out by local people. Designs for all new development will be required to show sensitivity to local forms, scale and materials and to meet high building standards and so ensure sustainability. The Plan will enable local businesses to invest in new opportunities. Action is required to alleviate traffic problems, whilst housing, community buildings and other amenities will need to be upgraded over time. By putting these priorities into our Plan, we can enable people to make it as good a place for the next generation as it is for us.’

For lots more information and to view the Draft Neighbourhood Plan and to complete a feedback form online at http://www.ourplaceourplan.org.uk/

Missed the Massive Redwing Movement and Twitter Feed to Connect us to Nature

Friday 11/10/13 - Moderate NE, overnight light rain, clearing : Barleyfield "vismig"

A frantic day on the work and home front yesterday meant that I was left to read about the tens of thousands of Redwing that had reached Britain on favourable winds.

An incredible 33,082 were recorded over "The Pinnacle", Sandy, Bedfordshire, in just four and a half hours yesterday morning!! A more modest 2,600 had passed over Black Bank in Staffordshire.

I hit the patch this morning, knowing that winds were more northerly and were likely to halt movements, but still wanted to get some idea as to whether the valley had witnessed some of this event.

It was immediately clear, on arriving at the Barleyfield that birds had got this far West. There was a "movement" of birds west, but aside from 3 groups, the largest holding 35 birds, the rest were grounded birds that were lifting from overnight resting places.

A one hour vismig produced the following, before fading:

Canada Goose  37 SW
Mallard - 5 SW
Cormorant - 4 High SE and 1 soon after heading South - all adults
Black-headed Gull - 65 SW
Woodpigeon - 19 SW - apparently still too early for migrants on the favourable NE
Pied Wagtail - 4 SW
Meadow Pipit - 4 grounded birds, lifted off the Barleyfield and headed SW
Redwing - 150 - c50 on migration West and the other c100 were grounded birds, lifting and heading low West. 55 of these were around the Lower Alders.
Song Thrush - 1 South
Blackbird - 6 coping remarkably well heading West on the cross wind.
Starling - 10 local birds SW and 7 presumed migrants heading West.

MOVING MOUNTAINS NATURE NETWORK (MMNN) -TWITTER FEED

As part of the push towards connecting more people with wildlife, I have now set up a Twitter feed on this blog, that will provide you with updates regarding wildlife events, issues and sightings. They are all my comments or retweets, and will not include personal or provocative opinion from others. Media releases will be shown, where I feel that they are relevant to the understanding and protection of wildlife.

MMNN members who follow us on Twitter will benefit from having their events and causes highlighted on this blog.

I hope that this adds to your experience, whilst visiting us!!

Thank you.