The West Midland Bird Club is pleased to announce the launch of a new
Branch, serving Coventry & Warwickshire.

The inaugural meeting will be held on Wednesday 4 March 2003, in The
Royal Pump Rooms, Leamington Spa, at 7.30pm.

There will be a short introduction and discussion of future
developments, including (if sufficient support is shown) further meeting
dates and venues, field trips and other activities.

This will be followed by an illustrated talk by Mike Lane FRPS, entitled
"A Country Lane Returns Again".

Admission will be free, and all are welcome, whether a current West
Midland Bird Club member or not.

For further details, please see:

         <http://www.westmidlandbirdclub.com/coventry>

Please support this new venture!
--
Andy Mabbett
Webmaster & Trustee
West Midland Bird Club: ornithology in Staffs, Warwks, Worcs & the West
Midlands county, since 1929 - http://www.westmidlandbirdclub.com/

The West Midland Bird Club hotline reports that four Whooper Swans were
seen flying over Walsall, this morning, heading towards the Arboretum.

It's also possible teat the y were heading for Mill Lane LNR.
--
Andy Mabbett
Webmaster & Trustee
West Midland Bird Club: ornithology in Staffs, Warwks, Worcs & the West
Midlands county, since 1929 - http://www.westmidlandbirdclub.com/

Andy Mabbett wrote: Have any of you seen other signs of approaching spring?

Late yesterday (26th Jan) at Ladywalk seemed just like a warm, spring evening;
with a very impressive sunset to the left of Riverwalk hide. A pair of amorous
Goosanders seemed to think so too, and earlier a GS Woodpecker was seen
defending territory from a second male.


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

COTON
Lapwing 170+
Wigeon 95
Teal 80+
Goldeneye
Shelduck 3

LADYWALK
Cormorant 115
Goosander 8 (1pr in courtship display)
Bittern (One up in phragmites, from Riverwalk hide, at 1630 giving clear views
for 5 minutes before flying short distance to roost. Three other definites and
one more possible reported).

Also, during 1 hr RSPB Garden Birdwatch in a friend's Whitacre Heath back
garden:
Tree Sparrow 4
Reed Bunting 3
Willow Tit 2

(Birds from my own house overlooking a small churchyard in 1 hr included: Siskin
3, Greenfinch 16, Goldfinch 4 and first record of Bullfinch).

Anyone have anything interesting in their Big Garden Birdwatch?


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

I'm grateful to the staff at Sandwell Valley RSPB reserve, who invited
me to assist in their monthly Snipe Count this morning. Walking across
the Marsh (which felt a bit odd, as it's usually out-of-bounds), we
flushed 44 Common Snipe and 3 Jack Snipe. The numbers were, apparently,
lower than could usually be expected, as the water level is very high
and some maintenance work has been done in the area over the last week.

Also present were several Goosander on Forge Mil Pool; Willow Tits and
Bullfinch on the feeding station, and the expected regulars. Goldeneye
had also been reported.

Two of the volunteers had just returned from a holiday in Costa Rica -
despite being very experienced and well- travelled birders, they still
managed to see over 300 lifers!
--
Andy Mabbett
Webmaster & Trustee
West Midland Bird Club: ornithology in Staffs, Warwks, Worcs & the West
Midlands county, since 1929 - http://www.westmidlandbirdclub.com/

----- Original Message -----
From: Rick Spraggett <rickspraggett@...>
To: <WMBC-WestMidlands@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Friday, January 24, 2003 11:24 PM
Subject: Re: [WMBC-WestMidlands] Wyken Slough O/S Landranger 140/363833


> Andy,
> Why "Where to watch birds in Herefordshire"-Wyken Slough is in
> Coventry,Therefore either W.Mids or Warwickshire, depending on how old you
> are!

The full title of the book is "Where to watch birds in Herefordshire,
Shropshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, Worcestershire and the former West
Midlands County" by Graham Harrison and Jack Sankey (2nd edition), published
by Helm in 1997. Now you can see why I didn't type out the whole thing.
Pity they couldn't have stuck to the title of the first edition - "Where to
watch birds in the West Midlands".

> We will dig out our old ticklists on the Slough and put together a
> species count.Three generations of twitchers are watching this patch!

Thanks, that would be interesting.

--
Andy Thomas

The Waxwing was still by the Kwik Save in Netherton at 9.20am this
  morning (Saturday), map ref SO946871.

--
Andy Thomas

Andy,
Why "Where to watch birds in Herefordshire"-Wyken Slough is in
Coventry,Therefore either W.Mids or Warwickshire, depending on how old you
are! We will dig out our old ticklists on the Slough and put together a
species count.Three generations of twitchers are watching this patch!
Rick Spraggett
----- Original Message -----
From: "Andy Thomas" <andy@...>
To: <WMBC-WestMidlands@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Friday, January 24, 2003 7:07 PM
Subject: Re: [WMBC-WestMidlands] Wyken Slough O/S Landranger 140/363833


>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Rick Spraggett <rickspraggett@...>
> To: Warwick Birds <warwickbirds@yahoogroups.com>
> Cc: W.Mids Birdline <WMBC-WestMidlands@yahoogroups.com>
> Sent: Thursday, January 23, 2003 5:23 PM
> Subject: [WMBC-WestMidlands] Wyken Slough O/S Landranger 140/363833
>
>
> > 1-Female Goosander present at 5pm
> > (This may be a first for the Slough)
> > Rick Spraggett
>
> "Where to watch birds in Herefordshire etc" does say that Goosander "might
> occur" at Wyken Slough, but a quick look through old Annual reports has
> drawn a blank, so you may be right. Have you got a full list for this
site?
> If so, perhaps you could send me a copy and I could put it on my website.
> (I'm currently compliing classified lists for Fens Pools and Sheepwash
UP).
>
> --
> Andy Thomas
> West Midland Birding  http://www.thomas1976.freeserve.co.uk/
>
>
> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> WMBC-WestMidlands-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
>
>
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
>

----- Original Message -----
From: Rick Spraggett <rickspraggett@...>
To: Warwick Birds <warwickbirds@yahoogroups.com>
Cc: W.Mids Birdline <WMBC-WestMidlands@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Friday, January 24, 2003 6:37 PM
Subject: [WMBC-WestMidlands] Black Woodpecker(Information Only)


> The following "readers letter" appeared in the febuary/03 issue of Saga
> Magazine.If it is factual, it makes exciting reading!!
> Quote:
<snip> > Does anyone know if this was reported at all?

No, I think we would have heard ;-)

According to Birdguides, there was a rumour of one being seen in Cumbria in
June 2002. I think it has been claimed in Britain on a few occasions but
never accepted by the Rarities Committee.

--
Andy Thomas

----- Original Message -----
From: Rick Spraggett <rickspraggett@...>
To: Warwick Birds <warwickbirds@yahoogroups.com>
Cc: W.Mids Birdline <WMBC-WestMidlands@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Thursday, January 23, 2003 5:23 PM
Subject: [WMBC-WestMidlands] Wyken Slough O/S Landranger 140/363833


> 1-Female Goosander present at 5pm
> (This may be a first for the Slough)
> Rick Spraggett

"Where to watch birds in Herefordshire etc" does say that Goosander "might
occur" at Wyken Slough, but a quick look through old Annual reports has
drawn a blank, so you may be right. Have you got a full list for this site?
If so, perhaps you could send me a copy and I could put it on my website.
(I'm currently compliing classified lists for Fens Pools and Sheepwash UP).

--
Andy Thomas
West Midland Birding  http://www.thomas1976.freeserve.co.uk/

----- Original Message -----
From: Andy Mabbett <webmaster@...>
To: <WMBC-WestMidlands@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Friday, January 24, 2003 9:13 AM
Subject: [WMBC-WestMidlands] Collared Doves


> A pair of Collared Doves have just been getting very friendly, in the
> tree outside my living room window.
>
> Have any of you seen other signs of approaching spring?

A Magpie has started building a nest in Cradley Heath. Robin, Wren , Dunnock
and Song Thrush all started singing some weeks ago. Mallards have been
displaying for weeks as well. All the birds round here seem to be full of
the joys of spring.

--
Andy Thomas

The following "readers letter" appeared in the febuary/03 issue of Saga
Magazine.If it is factual, it makes exciting reading!!
Quote:
In the feature "Sky's the limit" by malcolm Smith (December),I was
particularly interested in the photograph and information on the black
woodpecker.
About two months ago,while driving to work, I spotted a large bird, Black in
colour, with a red cap on its head. It was on the grassy bank of a traffic
island, near my home and as I drove slowly past I was able to observe it
from about six feet. I had definitely never seen this bird befoe, so I
looked it up in a bird book, but it was not there.
However, when I saw the photograph in your magazine, I recognised it
immediately. As the caption says that the black woodpecker has been spotted
as far west as Holland, and is poised to appear in Britain, I thought it
would be of interest to keen birdwatchers to know that it has in fact
arrived*
Signed: Bruce A Ivey, Ashford, Kent
*(Understatement of the year?!)
Does anyone know if this was reported at all?
  It has to happen one day and Kent is going to be the place( although
Brandon would be nice!)
I have myself seen  this pecker in a wood near a friend’s house in southern
Holland

A pair of Collared Doves have just been getting very friendly, in the
tree outside my living room window.

Have any of you seen other signs of approaching spring?
--
Andy Mabbett
Webmaster & Trustee
West Midland Bird Club: ornithology in Staffs, Warwks, Worcs & the West
Midlands county, since 1929 - http://www.westmidlandbirdclub.com/

1-Female Goosander present at 5pm
(This may be a first for the Slough)
Rick Spraggett

In message <JimPTYBXpcL+Ew6M@...>, Andy Mabbett
<webmaster@...> writes
>The telephone hotline caries this evening a report of ~300 Golden
>Plover, seen circling over the Dunlop factory at Castle Bromwich.

A similar number reported there today, on the ground.
--
Andy Mabbett
Webmaster & Trustee
West Midland Bird Club: ornithology in Staffs, Warwks, Worcs & the West
Midlands county, since 1929 - http://www.westmidlandbirdclub.com/

The telephone hotline caries this evening a report of ~300 Golden
Plover, seen circling over the Dunlop factory at Castle Bromwich.
--
Andy Mabbett
Webmaster & Trustee
West Midland Bird Club: ornithology in Staffs, Warwks, Worcs & the West
Midlands county, since 1929 - http://www.westmidlandbirdclub.com/

The Waxwing was still by the Kwik Save in Netherton at 9am this
morning, map ref SO946871. However, it is mobile. I saw it mobbed by
a Magpie when it was on the TV aeriel over the road, and then by a
Mistle Thrush when it flew into its favoured rowan tree.

--
Andy Thomas

A Waxwing was reported in Netherton at 13.30 today, by Kwiksave. I
was there at 16.00 and it was showing well on a TV aeriel across the
road.

--
Andy Thomas

In message <000601c2bd8b$96236100$14694e51@oemcomputer>, Andy Thomas
<andy@...> writes
>Elsewhere, BirdGuides is reporting Goosander and Shoveler at Hydes Road
>pool in Wednesbury, where there was a Yellow-legged Gull yesterday.


At ~ SO994948

>I was sad to hear this morning of the death of Chris Mead. His books
>and articles were always interesting and informative, and I'll
>particularly miss his postings to uk.rec.birdwatching.

Indeed - I shall miss his helpful contributions, and his quriky
tpying...
--
Andy Mabbett
Webmaster & Trustee
West Midland Bird Club: ornithology in Staffs, Warwks, Worcs & the West
Midlands county, since 1929 - http://www.westmidlandbirdclub.com/

I paid a brief visit to Fens Pools in Brierley Hill today. Apart from the
usual there was a male Goldeneye on Middle Pool and a pair of Gadwalls on
Grove Pool, only the second time I've seen the latter in the county.

Elsewhere, BirdGuides is reporting Goosander and Shoveler at Hydes Road pool
in Wednesbury, where there was a Yellow-legged Gull yesterday. Also
yesterday Short-eared Owl and Stonechat were reported from Sandwell Valley.

I was sad to hear this morning of the death of Chris Mead. His books and
articles were always interesting and informative, and I'll particularly miss
his postings to uk.rec.birdwatching.

--
Andy Thomas
West Midland Birding http://www.thomas1976.freeserve.co.uk/

Chris Beer - Whales and Dolphins.


At the Salvation Army Citadel, St. Chad's Queensway.

Doors open 7pm meetings start at 7:30pm. Non-members welcome, entrance
fee GBP 2. Refreshments and sales goods available.

--
Andy Mabbett
Webmaster & Trustee
West Midland Bird Club: ornithology in Staffs, Warwks, Worcs & the West
Midlands county, since 1929 - http://www.westmidlandbirdclub.com/

I have a late, third- hand, report, of a Kingfisher, seen last Sunday
morning on the lake at the rear of Wm. Wheat & Sons garden centre, on
Old Chester Road at Little Aston (between the old South Staffs pumping
station and the railway bridge, on the left when travelling away from
Birmingham).

<http://www.streetmap.co.uk/newmap.srf?x=407436&y=299804&z=0&sv=WS9+0PU&s
t=2&tl=Postcode+WS9+0PU>

Wheat's have done a lot of work, lately, to improve the lake and the
surrounding land, and made a mini reserve. It will be well worth
watching, as it develops over the next few years. The lake is fed by a
fast- flowing stream, so doesn't seem to freeze as readily as other,
nearby, waters.

A couple of years ago, Pied Wagtails successfully fledged from a nest in
a hanging basket in the garden centre, and the nest boxes they have for
sale have, in the past, been squatted by Blue Tits!

Over the road, the Pacific garden centre has a tame Robin, which will
take mealworms from the hand. You can see a couple of pictures of that
bird on the WMBC's website gallery.

That stretch of road is also good for Kestrel, Skylarks and hirundines
(in season) and is the only place in the West Midlands where I have seen
a Pheasant.


--
Andy Mabbett
Webmaster & Trustee
West Midland Bird Club: ornithology in Staffs, Warwks, Worcs & the West
Midlands county, since 1929 - http://www.westmidlandbirdclub.com/

At lunchtime today I visited The Leasowes in Halesowen to look for the
albino magpie, which has been there since at least November.

Even before I'd parked the car I saw the bird flying over the car park. It
certainly looks strange - all the feathers which would normally be black are
light brown, and the tail is practically white. I tried to take a photo but
it was very nervous and wouldn't settle.

I also saw about 10 Siskins, two or three Bullfinches and a Coal Tit, all
between the car park and Breaches Pool.

Elsewhere, Birdguides reported two adult Yellow-legged Gulls in Wednesbury.

--
Andy Thomas
West Midland Birding http://www.thomas1976.freeserve.co.uk/

In message <00c901c2bb4f$5779b640$e16d87d9@oemcomputer>, Andy Thomas
<andy@...> writes
>I haven't heard any reports of interesting birds in the county today.

Perhaps not, but we're surrounded by Waxwings!

They're in South Staffs (Branston), Worcs (Kidderminster) and Warwks
(Nuneaton). Can't be long 'til we get some, surely?
--
Andy Mabbett
Webmaster & Trustee
West Midland Bird Club: ornithology in Staffs, Warwks, Worcs & the West
Midlands county, since 1929 - http://www.westmidlandbirdclub.com/

----- Original Message -----
From: Sandy Saunders <p.s.saunders@...>
To: <WMBC-WestMidlands@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Monday, January 13, 2003 6:34 PM
Subject: Re: [WMBC-WestMidlands] Blackcap in the garden


> Andy Thomas
> > <andy@...> writes
> > >Had a male Blackcap in the garden this morning
>
> On a brighter note, had a female Blackcap in the garden on Sunday, first
of
> the winter.

The male Blackcap returned this morning and was feeding on the fatballs. It
then flew to the bird table and started tucking into some bread, blatantly
ignoring the sultanas I put out for it.

I haven't heard any reports of interesting birds in the county today. There
was certainly nothing notable at Netherton Reservoir this morning, where
there was no sign of the Common Gull that was there on Friday.

--
Andy Thomas
West Midland Birding http://www.thomas1976.freeserve.co.uk/

Andy Thomas
> <andy@...> writes
> >Had a male Blackcap in the garden this morning
>
> I trust you've seen:
>
>         <http://www.westmidlandbirdclub.com/research/blackcap.htm>
>
> which is an appeal for information on wintering Blackcaps.
>

I contacted this guy last winter, but he is based in Scotland and only able
to get down occasionally.  He was booked to come to visit me, but the
Blackcaps left before the day.

On a brighter note, had a female Blackcap in the garden on Sunday, first of
the winter.

Sandy Saunders

In message <00a401c2ba3c$d22c06e0$4a7587d9@oemcomputer>, Andy Thomas
<andy@...> writes
>Had a male Blackcap in the garden this morning

I trust you've seen:

         <http://www.westmidlandbirdclub.com/research/blackcap.htm>

which is an appeal for information on wintering Blackcaps.
--
Andy Mabbett
Webmaster & Trustee
West Midland Bird Club: ornithology in Staffs, Warwks, Worcs & the West
Midlands county, since 1929 - http://www.westmidlandbirdclub.com/

Had a male Blackcap in the garden this morning, feeding on bacon fat. Only
the third one I've ever seen in the garden, the last being a female about a
fortnight ago feeding on pyracantha berries.


--
Andy Thomas
Dudley, West Midlands
West Midland Birding  http://www.thomas1976.freeserve.co.uk/

The RSPB Walsall Local Group presents:

                 Wendy Conway

                 "Two Legged, Four Legged, Furry & Feathered"

                 (A talk about birds, animals, people and landscapes;
                 from three continents)

                 Wednesday 15 January
                 (doors open 7pm, talk starts 7.30pm)

                 at St Matthew's Church Hall, St Matthews Close (off New
                 Street), Walsall

                 (map: <http://uk.multimap.com/p/browse.cgi?pc=ws13dh>).

                 All welcome: admission only £1.50
--
Andy Mabbett
Webmaster & Speakers' Secretary
RSPB Walsall Local Group
http://www.rspb-walsall.org.uk

Welcome to this new mailing list - please post your sightings, comments
or questions about birding in the West Midlands  - the list will only
grow and develop if people use it.
--
Andy Mabbett
Webmaster & Trustee
West Midland Bird Club: ornithology in Staffs, Warwks, Worcs & the West
Midlands county, since 1929 - http://www.westmidlandbirdclub.com/