Eymore Wood this afternoon

Crossbill 6+ top car park
Siskin 20+
Redpoll 2
Nuthatch 2
Treecreeper 1
G S Woodpecker f
Coal Tit 6
Buzzard 2

Trimpley resr

Mandarin m&4f
Kingfisher 1
Grey Wagtail 1
Great Crested Grebe 11

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

In message <4bc845c21bpdedicoat@...>, Peter Dedicoat
<pdedicoat@...> writes

  > One of the problems with requests for information through mailing
  > lists such as this is that people ask questions that could easily
  > be answered by reference to books or the internet.

That happens, certainly, but I'm not sure it's a problem. The enquirer
may find, on a Saturday evening, after the library has closed and the
books are not available, that they have free time on the Sunday morning.
Books will tell you what one person thought, a few months prior to
publication, but a list like this allows several people to offer both
qualitative opinions ("you'll get a better view from the bridge"; "I
don't find it as bad as the previous respondent claimed"; "while you're
there, try the teashop - the muffins are delicious") and last-minute
updates ("don't go tomorrow, there'll be a boat out repairing the tern
rafts"; "The guide book doesn't mention the new hide, which offers a
better view").

  > However, my attempts to find out about the Gwen Finch
  > Reserve via the internet have been unsuccessful and surprisingly
  > the Worcs Wildlife Trust web site doesn't mention it.

Perhaps because there's no access?
--
Andy Mabbett
Webmaster & Trustee
West Midland Bird Club: ornithology in Staffs, Warwks, Worcs & the West
Midlands county, since 1929 - http://www.westmidlandbirdclub.com/

On 21 Feb, Andy Thomas <andy@...> wrote:

> I've only been to Gwen Finch once, in June 2002. I think I'm
> right in saying that there is no access to the reserve, but it
> can be viewed across the river from the fishermen's car park at
> Nafford (Map ref SO940417).

Thanks, Andy.  One of the problems with requests for information
through mailing lists such as this is that people ask questions
that could easily be answered by reference to books or the
internet.  However, my attempts to find out about the Gwen Finch
Reserve via the internet have been unsuccessful and surprisingly
the Worcs Wildlife Trust web site doesn't mention it.

Peter

19.2.2003.  1530hrs.  Common Raven over Lickeys seen from M42.

20.2.2003.  0740  1male and 2 female Goosander at Beoleylade Grid SP054688. 
rare bird here.  Not referred to beoleylade on maps but is locally.  Area
between Paper Mill Redditch and Hither Green lane Redditch.  Best access from
Rush Lane, Church Hill North, Redditch.  Only really worth it early morning as
too much disturbance rest of day.

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

As featured in the Kidderminster Shuttle:

   
<http://www.thisisworcestershire.co.uk/worcestershire/kidderminster/leisure/natu\
re.html>

Enjoy!
--
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: Peter Dedicoat <pdedicoat@...>
To: <WMBC-Worcs@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Monday, February 17, 2003 5:30 PM
Subject: [WMBC-Worcs] Re: About this mailing list



> Requests for information are a regular feature of some other
> mailing lists I subscribe to.  For instance, as someone who is only
> an occasional visitor to Worcestershire, I'd be interested to know
> about the 'new' Gwen Finch reserve - location, access, birds, etc.
> Can anyone tell me?

I've only been to Gwen Finch once, in June 2002. I think I'm right in saying
that there is no access to the reserve, but it can be viewed across the
river from the fishermen's car park at Nafford (Map ref SO940417).

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

On 18 Feb, Andy Mabbett <webmaster@...> wrote:

> I know a website where that could go...

It's very out of date now, Andy.  Geoff (Bruton) and I spent many
happy hours trawling through WMBC Annual Reports extracting
records.  Fortunately, H G Alexander had already published some
earlier stuff - his own stuff plus birds from the Chase Collection
in the Birmingham Museum and records from Rev Deakin, Rector of
Cofton Hackett who was watching Bittell around 1860-1910.

Finding the bird records, although time consuming, was in some ways
the easy part.  More difficult was getting information about the
history of the site itself.  We lacked information about such
things as land (and water) use changes, changes in vegetation, etc.
It was probably because the bird list wasn't especially useful in
isolation that the thing never got into print.

I did send a copy of the checklist to H G Alexander, who was then
living in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania.  He sent a very nice letter in
reply which I still have.

I was born not far away from Bittell and started my birding there.
My earliest birding memory is of seeing a Bewick's Swan there back
in the 1950s.  I went with my father and a Norfolk reed thatcher
who was doing the roof of a property in Alvechurch.  He was a
proper birder - not only did he have binoculars, but he also had
several volumes of Bannerman's 'Birds of the British Isles' which
at that time were still being published.


Peter

In message <4bc64872ebpdedicoat@...>, Peter Dedicoat
<pdedicoat@...> writes
>I spent a long time compiling a checklist of the birds of Bittell
>(still unpublished!)

I know a website where that could go...
--
Andy Mabbett
Webmaster & Trustee
West Midland Bird Club: ornithology in Staffs, Warwks, Worcs & the West
Midlands county, since 1929 - http://www.westmidlandbirdclub.com/

On 17 Feb, Simon Dix <simondix@...> wrote:

> How boring do you want your bird news.

It depends what you mean by 'boring'.  It doesn't have to be rare
to be interesting.  Nor do you need to restrict your contributions
to current bird news.

Requests for information are a regular feature of some other
mailing lists I subscribe to.  For instance, as someone who is only
an occasional visitor to Worcestershire, I'd be interested to know
about the 'new' Gwen Finch reserve - location, access, birds, etc.
Can anyone tell me?

I'd also like to hear news from some of the places I used to visit
in the early 1970s - Bittell and Upton Warren, for instance.  Along
with Geoff Bruton, I spent a long time compiling a checklist of the
birds of Bittell (still unpublished!) and it would be interesting
to hear how things have changed.

And, yes, if a Siberian Rubythroat turns up at Grimley New
Workings, I'd like to hear about that as well!


Peter
Stafford

How boring do you want your bird news.

Simon
----- Original Message -----
From: "Andy Mabbett" <webmaster@...>
To: <WMBC-Worcs@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Sunday, February 16, 2003 8:05 PM
Subject: [WMBC-Worcs] About this mailing list


>
> This group now has 41 members; but only a couple of us seem to be
> posting our bird news - please do, this is supposed to be a
> collaborative effort!
> --
> Andy Mabbett
> Webmaster & Trustee
> West Midland Bird Club: ornithology in Staffs, Warwks, Worcs & the West
> Midlands county, since 1929 - http://www.westmidlandbirdclub.com/
>
> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> WMBC-Worcs-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
>
>
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
>
>

This group now has 41 members; but only a couple of us seem to be
posting our bird news - please do, this is supposed to be a
collaborative effort!
--
Andy Mabbett
Webmaster & Trustee
West Midland Bird Club: ornithology in Staffs, Warwks, Worcs & the West
Midlands county, since 1929 - http://www.westmidlandbirdclub.com/

We have a new "Worcestershire" page on our website:

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

with updated and expanded lists of additional birding hot-spots.

Please fell free to comment on any omissions.

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

At Grimley New Workings, at lunchtime today:

         White- fronted Goose    1
         Lapwing                 flock, left after Peregrine flew over
         Teal
         Gadwall
         Pintail                 pair
         Shoveler
         Pochard
         Little Grebe
         Barnacle Goose          1, with Canadas
         Peregrine
         Buzzard
         Grey Wagtail            two (pair?)
         Pheasant                two males, fighting
         Cormorant

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

At Castlemorton Common, this afternoon:

         Buzzard
         Kestrel
         Pheasant
         Green Woodpecker
         Sparrowhawk
         Stonechat               pair
         GS Woodpecker
         Grey Heron              two, flew in for 15 mins, then off
                                 again.
                 Yellowhammer            lone male
         Linnet                  small flock, ~6

plus the usual stuff. Couldn't find any Snipe, though :-(
--
Andy Mabbett
Webmaster & Trustee
West Midland Bird Club: ornithology in Staffs, Warwks, Worcs & the West
Midlands county, since 1929 - http://www.westmidlandbirdclub.com/

In message <19e.f9a39bd.2b5de0d2@...>, Davebirder@... writes
>Park is accessible from the Kidder to Bridgnorth Rd at Alveley.
>Signpost to left from main road. or from Highley main rd through
>village, take road opposite co-op, sign to Severn Meadows Golf Club.
>Follow lane as far as it goes to car park by railway line.

Thank you, but isn't that in Shropshire?
--
Andy Mabbett
Webmaster & Trustee
West Midland Bird Club: ornithology in Staffs, Warwks, Worcs & the West
Midlands county, since 1929 - http://www.westmidlandbirdclub.com/

Park is accessible from the Kidder to Bridgnorth Rd at Alveley. Signpost to
left from main road.
or from Highley main rd through village, take road opposite co-op, sign to
Severn Meadows Golf Club. Follow lane as far as it goes to car park by
railway line. Walk over railway line, down to river, cross over bridge and
you will see visitor centre up hill to right.
Dave


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

In message <1a1.f5d4a28.2b5dc998@...>, Davebirder@... writes
>Severn Valley Country Park


That's a new one on me - can you describe it, and give fuller
directions, please?
--
Andy Mabbett
Webmaster & Trustee
West Midland Bird Club: ornithology in Staffs, Warwks, Worcs & the West
Midlands county, since 1929 - http://www.westmidlandbirdclub.com/

Chris Butterworth the warden of Severn Valley Country Park, Highley reports
Bittern present all day today. Visible easily from hide near visitor centre.
Dave Fulton


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

From: "Andy Mabbett" <webmaster@...>
To: <WMBC-Worcs@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Sunday, January 19, 2003 9:47 PM
Subject: [WMBC-Worcs] Grimley New & Old Workings


> Can anyone describe Grimley New Workings, its access, OS Ref and the
> birds to be found there, please?
>
> Also Grimley Old Workings?
> --
> Andy Mabbett

Andy

Grimley lies on the West bank of the Severn north of Worcester.  The
workings lie mainly north of the village (SO837605) and can also be access
from Top Barn SO827614.  An interesting walk can also be had south of the
village where there are often large flocks of Canada Geese, Gulls and
Lapwings.  My local patch takes me up the East bank of the river and I can
see them in the distance.  :-(

Sandy

The Kidderminster Branch of the West Midland Bird Club welcomes everyone
to its next indoor meeting:

         Weds 22 January
         Graham Harrison
         "Where to Watch Birds in the West Midlands..."


to be held at St. Oswald's Church Centre off Broadwaters Drive,
Kidderminster DY10 2RY <http://uk.multimap.com/p/browse.cgi?pc=dy102ry>
beginning at 7.30pm.

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

Can anyone describe Grimley New Workings, its access, OS Ref and the
birds to be found there, please?

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

Hope to see a few of you at the West Mids Ringing Conference on Sat March
1st. at Brintons Chain Wire Social Club, Kidderminster. Cost is £11.50 which
includes coffee's and lunch. Event should also prove of interest to non
ringers. Talks by Tony Cross on Raven, Chris Whittles on Pied Fly's, Stefan
Bodnar on Constant Effort Ringing Sites, and from the BTO, Rob Robinson on
Starling declines, and Bridget Griffin on Rusty the Swallow. If you want to
go, either send me cheque made out to BTO. Address is Dave Fulton, 6
Hazelwells Road, Highley, Shropshire WV16 6DJ. or send payment direct to Dawn
Balmer at BTO.


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

I know it is probably sour grapes on my part but to get a permit for
westwood pool you have to be one of Steve Whitehouses favoured few.

Simon
----- Original Message -----
From: "Andy Mabbett" <webmaster@...>
To: <WMBC-Worcs@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Thursday, January 16, 2003 1:07 AM
Subject: [WMBC-Worcs] Westwod Pool & Long-tailed Duck


> Apparently there's a long staying, long-tailed Duck at Westwood Pool.
>
> Where is that, and who issues permits?
>
> Can anyone provide a mini "site guide", please?
> --
> Andy Mabbett
> Webmaster & Trustee
> West Midland Bird Club: ornithology in Staffs, Warwks, Worcs & the West
> Midlands county, since 1929 - http://www.westmidlandbirdclub.com/
>
> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> WMBC-Worcs-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
>
>
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
>
>

Hi Andy, if only life were that simple!
Westwood Pool is in Droitwich. Take the Ombersley Road from Droitwich
by-pass (signposted but I cant remember road number) and The Great Pool is
on your right. Surrounded on the road side by a six foot brick wall. For
many years there was NO access to anyone and if you tried to gain entry old
"Pete" the bailiff would get you!! I can't imagine he is still alive? He
lived on the site in a caravan for many years, I knew him when I was a
schoolboy in the early Seventies.

It is owned by a local businessman who keeps it private for his family's
use, mostly waterskiing.
He only reluctantly agreed to issue birding permits because a persistant few
tresspassed to a point where he issued them to keep the peace! They are
strictly limited. When I had one there were only 6 - 10 max. I gave mine up
(voluntarily but reluctantly) when I moved to Shropshire.

There is very limited viewing from the public footpaths around the pool, or
over the wall, but this can be quite frustrating and use of these paths is
actively discouraged by the regular birders as walkers frequently disturb
the well-watched gull roost. If you really want to see the L-t Duck go early
morning to avoid disturbing the gull roost. Take the footpath that runs
parallel to the drive upto Westwood House (leave your car in the lay-by on
Westlands housing estate, at your own risk!!) deviate slightly from the
official path to the willows that surround the pool and peer through, like I
said frustrating.

Good luck anyway.

Regards,

Dave Barnes.
Market Drayton, Shropshire.

-----Original Message-----
From: Andy Mabbett [mailto:webmaster@...]
Sent: Thursday, January 16, 2003 1:08 AM
To: WMBC-Worcs@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [WMBC-Worcs] Westwod Pool & Long-tailed Duck


Apparently there's a long staying, long-tailed Duck at Westwood Pool.

Where is that, and who issues permits?

Can anyone provide a mini "site guide", please?
--
Andy Mabbett
Webmaster & Trustee
West Midland Bird Club: ornithology in Staffs, Warwks, Worcs & the West
Midlands county, since 1929 - http://www.westmidlandbirdclub.com/

To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
WMBC-Worcs-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com



Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/

Apparently there's a long staying, long-tailed Duck at Westwood Pool.

Where is that, and who issues permits?

Can anyone provide a mini "site guide", please?
--
Andy Mabbett
Webmaster & Trustee
West Midland Bird Club: ornithology in Staffs, Warwks, Worcs & the West
Midlands county, since 1929 - http://www.westmidlandbirdclub.com/

I often see reports of birds at Throckmorton Tip, which is described as
"Permit Only". Where is this, and who issues permits, please?
--
Andy Mabbett
Webmaster & Trustee
West Midland Bird Club: ornithology in Staffs, Warwks, Worcs & the West
Midlands county, since 1929 - http://www.westmidlandbirdclub.com/

Hi

Just to introduce myself to anyone who has subscribed to this group.

My name is Sandy Saunders, I live in Worcester (Barbourne) and work in
Birmingham.  I am a reasonably keen birdwatcher, but not much of a twitcher
(i.e. I don't often travel to see a specific rare bird).  However I do
travel to various places round the country and abroad birdwatching.  I also
"cultivate" a local patch which is basically a walk from my house up along
the east bank of the Severn to a point just above Bevere Lock.  It doesn't
see many rare birds, but I enjoy the walk. :-)

These travels are both with friends and the Worcester and Malvern RSPB
group.  On Sunday we are off to Connah's Quay.  My foreign travels on
specifically bird watching trips have included the Algarve, Israel, Bulgaria
(twice) and this year I am going to Poland.

But enough of me, on with the Fieldfares.  Garth Lowe, the leader of the
Worcester and Malvern RSPB group reported at the meeting last Wednesday that
he had been ringing Fieldfares recently and two had already been ringed, in
Norway.

Sandy Saunders

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

There have been reports of Brambling on the feeders at the Worcs.
Wildlife Trust's "Christopher Cadbury Wetland Reserve" at Upton Warren
this morning.

As I recall, there's an honour system where you're asked to put money in
a tin for your day permit, if you're not a WT member - please do so.
--
Andy Mabbett
Webmaster & Trustee
West Midland Bird Club: ornithology in Staffs, Warwks, Worcs & the West
Midlands county, since 1929 - http://www.westmidlandbirdclub.com/

Welcome to this new mailing list - please post your sightings, comments
or questions about birding in Worcestershire - 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/