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We welcome e-mails on any subject regarding Chasewater, Cuckoo Bank and the surrounding areas as well as the work of Chasewater Wildlife Group.

Please send your e-mails to cwg_comments at yahoo.co.uk (substitute at for @) for submission to the comments page. Comments will be added during website updates so it may be a little while before your message appears. Be sure to check the site for our regular diary updates. Your e-mail address will NOT appear in the message but your name will be shown if you include it.

*****Newly added comments are highlighted and appear as a thread in line with related messages********

PLEASE NOTE THAT THE COMMENTS ON THIS PAGE ARE THE OPINIONS OF INDIVIDUAL CONTRIBUTORS AND ARE NOT THE OPINIONS OF THE CHASEWATER WILDLIFE GROUP

Date

Comment

22nd May 2008

message no.63

Hi
can anyone help on Sunday 18th May down by the pools on cuckoo bank we spotted a bird that we couldnt identify from any of our books it was about the size of a robin it had a vivid blue throat & chest a largish head for its size and was hanging on the reeds by the pool unfortunately it flew away to the other pool before we could photograph it.
thanks helen

16th May 2008

Message no.62

I managed to get this shot of this rather silent male Ring Ouzel. After flying from the southern pylon area, it momentarily paused on the row of Pines next the track before disappearing. Fortunately I saw again on a couple of occasions.

More poor quality images on local birding can be seen of my blog Blurred Birding.

http://yapp2607.blogspot.com/

Martyn Yapp

4th April 2008

Message Mo.61

Hi All

Although there is a photo of the Great Northern Diver's right wing on the CWG site already, I thought it might be helpful to add this pic too (which I took early this afternoon, Thursday 3 April, off the dam) albeit taken rather hurriedly with a digital Sony Cybershot handheld to a Mighty Midget Opticron Travelscope... and in rather poor light !

Cheers

Andy Russell

28th March 2008

Message Mo.60

Hello,

Please could you tell me if there have been any sightings of pine martens in the area. I am fairly certain that I observed one (26/03/08) in my garden. It was during the day and I saw it exploring the rockery at first and then moving into the borders, before wriggling under the fence. People have suggested that it may have been an escaped ferret but this does not match with other images I have found on the net. I am staggered to see one so far south and I would be very grateful to hear your thoughts.

Thanks

Joan Elkington

17th March 2008

Message Mo.59

Several small flocks of martins (approx. 10-12 per flock), possibly with swallows as well, have passed through during March 17^th. Cold northerly winds all day do not have affected this early appearance.

Pair of gadwall off the sailing club shore.

Ivan Poole

Centre Manager, Chasewater Outdoor Education Centre

6th March 2008

Message Mo.58

Muscovy duck on the swag 5.3.08. Is this normally on the boating pool with the other domestics? (The boating pool is empty so I wondered if it had wandered off)

Nat

4th March 2008

Message Mo.57

We saw a pair of grey wagtails by the sailing club this afternoon (4th March) looking stunning in the sunlight.

On visiting the feeding station we found that a large area is being fenced off so that cattle can graze. The men doing it said they would put in stiles so I hope they will be in the right places. I could not find anything about this on the web site? We saw two male bullfinches, at least two male reed buntings and a pair of willow tits.

Liz Bolton

Hi, Graham has now made a note on the homepage about the fence; it doesn't look as though there will be a problem

Nat

3rd March 2008

Message Mo.56

Just thought i'd say thx for the information today as regards the feeding station, yes we did find it thx, still no luck with the Diver though.

Notes on today include:-

Kingfisher by the flooded boardwalk
Willow tit, 1 Brambling and 5 bullfinch on feeding station
6 yellowhammers, 1 mistle thrush on the farm

Thx again and thx for such a wonderful webpage

Denny Haynes

2nd March 2008

Message Mo.55

Please find emailed, videograbs of Iceland Gull from film taken Saturday @ approx

12 noon. The film was taken in strong windy conditions and therefore the images of the bird

could have been better if the weather was calm.

Regards, Phil

21st February 2008

Message Mo.54

Hello There

Thought you may be interested that whilst out walking today Wed 20th Feb my friend Paulene and I spotted four Teal nearby the railway station and cafe.

20th February 2008

Message No.53

Hi, anyone interested in the future of Chasewater please take a look at Lichfield District Councils supplementary planning document.

http://www.lichfielddc.gov.uk/downloads/project_26(v892).pdf

If you wish to make a representation you can do so here;

http://consultation.limehouse.co.uk/lichfielddc/drafts/24/index.html

It is worth taking some time to read through the document as it details LDC's vision for Chasewater

Anyone wishing to make a comment should do so as soon as possible or email us via this comments page if you wish to make your opinion known to the Wildlife Group

Natalie Ward

9th February 2008

Message no.48

Hi,

I thought you may be interested in this photo I took last Friday at Stubbers Green, Walsall.
I know it is a bit distant but it is a good record of the Iceland gulls visit.

I hope it is of interest,

cheers,

John.

8th February 2008

Message no.47

Hello,

i am a birder with an interest in correct ID of hybrid waterfowl and quite some experience in that field...

I strongly suspect that the redcrested pochard from 12.7.2007 is a hybrid between two species (Possibly involving bahama pintail?). I would love to see some more photos or better resolution photos of that one, if possible.

With Best Regards,

Joern Lehmhus

12th February 2008

Message no.50

a reply to message 47

Hello Joern,

It was great to receive your email regarding the duck at Chasewater in July 2007. You are quite right to point out that it clearly isn't a pure Red-crested Pochard and certainly appears to have some features of Bahama Pintail. The photo of it flapping concerned me at the time since the typical white wing bar of RC Pochard does not show but the pale edge to the secondaries, as in Bahama Pintail does. I think it was a case of passing it off as an obvious escape from captivity and not exercising the necessary care in examining the bird in detail. I don't think we have any better photos of the bird to send you but do you have any ideas about the full parentage, age and sex of the duck?

Graham Evans

14th February 2008

Message no.51

a reply to message 50

Hi Graham,

I just do not see enough of the bird to be sure, the flapping picture which i now have seen (missed that before!) indicates indeed Bahama Pintail parentage...but I´d need to know more which i can not see in the fairly small pictures... I´d need higher resolution pictures.

However , if the iris of the bird was red, as it seems, then it should be a male. Given the time of the year and the fact that one of the potentially involved species (RC Pochard) does have an eclipse plumage; it may be an eclipse male...That said, with these photos it is still a guess...

Best regards, Joern

15th February 2008

Message no.52

a reply to message 51

Joern's response to receiving several photographs of the duck in question;

Hi Graham,

thank you!

I still see this as a good possibility for RC Pochard x Bahama pintail. the speculum would indeed be good for that.

I think the reddish eye colour hints to a male bird; on the other hand I´d have expected at least some red on the bill in a male (even in an eclipse bird)- but on the other hand there are some Mallard x RC Pochard who also show a nearly totally dark bill.

However, even with the more detailed photos i am not able to say more, i am sorry for that....

But if you ´d get a report from a very odd duck from the chasewater area; I´d be interested- it might be this hybrid in breeding plumage....

Best regards, Joern

6th February 2008

Message no.44

Good to see Graham and other familiar faces again after so many years on 4 February and thanks to the intrepid gull-watchers for finding me my first British Caspian Gull (I’m ashamed to admit!). It was the cream (actually I hate cream) on one my best days ever at Chasewater, though the Slavonian Grebe down to 2.5m takes some beating. I’ve only revisited Chasewater three times (during 1993-5) since leaving the Midlands in the late 1980s and was somewhat confused by all the changes to the roads that have been made since then. Despite that, there seem to be improvements in the habitat in some respects, not least the amount of woodland that now clothes big areas of what used to look something like the wastes of Siberia ! Some of that woodland gave welcome shelter from the wind while watching the really good gull roost.

If I can indulge in a little nostalgia, my first visit there was on 27 November 1966. I made quite few trips to look for the then regular Great Grey Shrike, which I finally saw to huge relief and elation on 19 November 1968. But that was only the first of an amazing list of oddities – for which the site is of course well-known. Least Sandpiper and Dotterel in 1971, Red-footed Falcon in 1973 and White-winged Black Tern in 1976 stand out in my list. However, I often recall the tame Snow Bunting that I watched by my feet on 9 February 1969 – that’s because I wrote-off my motor bike on the way home and my note book for that day is covered in blood!

There’s nowhere quite like Chasewater: keep it that way!

Dave Smallshire

6th February 2008

Message no.45

a reply to message 44

Great to see you Dave, though far too briefly after all these years. I too can recall many memories including one in May 1973 when you waved to me across Fly Bay from the north shore and I waved back from the Sailing Club, went home and then back to college. It was not until a week later when I saw the front page of the Guardian that I found out why you were waving. You were trying to tell me that you were watching a Red-footed Falcon over the heath! It stayed for several days but with no hotlines, birdguides or pagers how was I to know? It was far more fun in the old days!

Gray

5th February 2008

Message no.43

Just a query and a bit of info. At Sandbach Flashes (Cheshire) for the last three nights we have had a 2cy Iceland Gull in the roost with a deformed upper mandible,I understand from Sandbach locals whom visited Chasewater in January that you had what was almost certainly this bird there. Would it be possible to confirm this as it would be interesting to chart the movement of this individual as it is very rare the opportunity arises. Thanks.

Andy Firth

Crewe

6th February 2008

Message no.46

a reply to message 43

Thanks for contacting us Andy. Our odd juvenile (2cy) Iceland Gull roosted most nights from around January 15th - 25th. Paul Jeynes, who saw it most frequently, has said the bird's mandible didn't appear to close properly and may have had wire stuck in it! In some views the mandibles seemed to cross and in others it appeared that there was damage to the upper mandible. Do you have any photos of the bird? Unfortunately, as far as we are aware it was never photographed in good enough light to show any details when it was with us.

Graham Evans

9th February 2008

Message no.49

a reply to message 43

Graham:-

Unfortunately the bird was not photographed but has also been seen at Richmond Bank, Warrington.It did not come into roost last night (8/2/08) so it may have moved again.From the description of the mandible I am almost sure it is the same bird at all three sites.Thanks for the information.

Andy Firth, Crewe

5th February 2008

Message no.42

Please find emailed, 2 No. Videograbs of Nordic Jackdaw & 1 No. Videograb of 2nd Winter Caspian Gull from film taken at Stubbers Green last Sunday 03/02/08.

I also filmed the drake Scaup the sunday before at the 'Swag' - I will provide you with Videograb/grabs soon.

Regards, Phil

4th February 2008

message no.41

Thanks for your help and patience during Saturday's gull roost when I eventually

managed to see the 1st winter Caspian gull courtesy of Paul.

White winged gulls are no problem but Herring gull splits are a different matter.

Don't know how you all do it. Guess it comes with many hours of practise.

Once again many thanks,

Tony - Kidderminster

27th Jan 2008

message no. 40

A message received with reference to the LDC/CWG field meeting on Saturday 26th, that attracted 80 people;

To all involved

                thank you for a lovely afternoon. I didn't realise there was so much going on so close to home. The only let down
                to the days fun was on arriving back at the visitors centre was to find all the toilets closed!!!
                Me and my partner had to beat a hasty retreat for home before the gulls came back to roost , Which we were
                told was a spectacular sight .

26th Jan 2008

message no. 39

Feeding station were all the usual plus a reed bunting which I haven’t seen for a while.

The Slav Grebe was clearly visible in Fly Bay near the inlet from Fly pool.

On the Swag, the Smew was present with quite a large viewing audience.

Regards Nigel.

26th Jan 2008

message no. 38

Hi All

This note is to give a big thank you once again to Paul Jeynes after his brilliant efforts at yesterday's (Friday) gull roost to help me learn more about ID-ing different species ... and did he come up trumps !

Whilst it was great to see two already on my ticked-list pointed out again ... Med. Gull and Caspian ... to also see him find the 2nd winter Yellow-legged and the Juvenile Glaucous Gull for me ... and then to move back to the jetty for still decent views in fading light of the Juvenile Iceland Gull was fantastic !

As he said "plenty of experienced birders don't ever get to see those five in any one roost !" It was a real privilege - so many thanks again Paul.

Cheers

Andy Russell

21st Jan 2008

message no. 37

Just wanted to say thanks to Graham for helping us out with the Slav Grebe and Med Gull on Sat. We had a great day at Chasewater and will be back soon. If possible can someone tell us where the feeding station is, we'd like to see it next time?

Kay and Max

18th Jan 2008

Message No 36

17^th & 18^th Jan

The drake smew feeding very actively and getting tamer, coming from the cover it has been staying near and over to the near shore of the creek. Slav grebe very close inshore, along with displaying goldeneye and three gooseander. Unusually, the windy weather has not brought tufted duck into the creek, and only two cormorants.

Will keep you posted if anything significant appears or disappears.

Ivan Poole

Centre Manager, Chasewater Outdoor Education Centre

14th Jan 2008

Message No. 34

Hi
2nd winter Iceland gull in tonights roost
Ian p

14th Jan 2008

Message No. 32

Many of us have seen a Slav grebe in fly bay but none Chasewater birders had seen r.n.g. on sunday so is this report reliable?

Chris Cook

15th Jan 2008

Message No. 33

A reply to message 32

Been again to check for this bird and disappointed to say it is a false report probably misident for the ever present Slav grebe again in Fly bay this am

Chris Cook

8th Jan 2008

Message No. 31

Hi
yesterday, 7th, lesser redpoll w. side Fly Bay and slav grebe showing
really well
cheers Ian P.

p.s. where is feeding station?

16th Jan 2008

Message No 35

A reply to message 31

hi
found feeder station which i never would without directions
boardwalk is flooded but worked round other way
its very good and well hidden
bullfinches willow tits reed buntings
i also was fairly sure there were two marsh tits as well as 2/3 willow
on res
slav grebe on outer fly bay
gndiver but only saw one
drake smew very much in cover inside fly bay
thanks again for directions
cheers ian

6th Jan 2008

Message No. 30

Cuckoo Bank today; 100+ skylarks, 200 fieldfare, 1 mistle thrush, golden plover heard, 2 buzzards in Eights Wood.....Oh, and a quad bike safari.

Nat Ward

P.S. Has anyone been for a stroll in Eights Wood lately? It's fun!

5th Jan 2008

Message No. 29

5th Jan - The chiffchaff was seen by the swag. we walked up to the north end to view the Slav, and as we were walking back past the swag, the 'nice brown' chiffchaff was with the tit flock.

cheers, Nick Smith

5th Jan 2008

Message No. 28

Cuckoo Bank;

Short eared owl in south central wasteland around 2.30 1st Jan also 15 siskin with goldfinch flock in young tree plantation also in middle
cheers
Ian P.

4th Jan 2008

Message No. 27

Pics of Iceland Gull, the 2w Y L Gull and a cracking (!) Glauc shot from the 1st Jan roost. Cheers, Nick Smith

3rd Jan 2008

Message No. 26

Hi everyone,

I thought I'd share some images I took at Chasewater on 3rd Jan. They were all taken on a short walk between the dam wall and the bird feeders. They are some of the 25 species we recorded in just over an hour. Higher resolution images are available on request.

Regards

John Spencer

CLICK ON THE IMAGES TO ENLARGE

3rd Jan 2008

Message No. 25

As promised to who ever it was I spoke to today at the water here are three shots of the day. regards Paul King PKDWildlife.blogspot.com PKDigital wildlife.com CLICK ON THE IMAGES TO ENLARGE

26th December 2007

Message No.24

Please find 'attached', another Videograb of the 2nd Winter Caspian Gull, which I filmed on

Christmas eve morning at Stubbers Green pool.

I went specifically for the adult Mediterranean gull - which was absent.

I also filmed 2 No. Common Gulls and a 3rd Winter Great Black - backed Gull.

I hope you had a great Christmas.

Regards, Phil Parsons.

5th December 2007

Message No.20

Hi Everyone

Still newish to birding - and still working part-time, as I've mentioned to Phil on the odd occasions we have bumped into each other at Chasewater, I don't get the time I'd like to improve as much as I would like !

So not being a gull expert at all yet, can anyone confirm whether (or probably not !) the attached bird is one of the current Glaucous Gulls. This was 4.30 Monday afternoon this week.

It's the darker bird in the centre of the more distant shot that was 'standing out from the crowd', with the white buoy being not far from the water-ski ramp. In the close up attachment, you will it see it 'bottom left'.

Any thoughts ?

Many thanks

Andy Russell (Lichfield)

CLICK ON THE IMAGE TO ENLARGE

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5th December 2007

Message No.22

A reply to message 20

Hi Andrew,
Thank you for your post, we seem to be getting a few more posts lately which is great. I've put it onto the comments page for you and have shown your pics to my husband who does the gull roost on a regular basis.
Sadly you're pics don't show the glaucous gull; your bird is most likely to be a herring gull (if we're all looking at the same bird). The glaucous gull is a more bulky/stocky bird, creamy coloured with pale primaries (the bit non-birders often think is the tail). There are a couple of pictures of the glaucous gull on the diary and the comments page but what you'd probably find more useful is to head down to the West (or sometimes South) shore late afternoon around 3.30 to 4pm and look out for any birders doing the roost. They're all friendly and have been an invaluable source of information and help to me. The glaucous was there tonight from around 4pm amongst a roost of about 10,000 birds; good fun to pick out.

All the best, Natalie Ward

18th December 2007

Message No.23

A reply to message 22

Hi again everyone

Many thanks to Natalie for putting me right on my earlier query, reference potential Glaucous Gull. My school report will do well to even say "could do better ! "

But I'll keep learning and thanks again.

Regards

Andy Russell

4th December 2007

Message no.18

Please find 2 No. more 'Videograbs' of the 'suspect' 3rd Winter Caspian Gull? - filmed at Stubbers Green.
You will also find 4 No. 'Vidgrabs' of an odd looking Blackheaded Gull filmed at Sandwell
Valley - while looking for Med gulls. The bird is in the foreground.
I hope the Chasewater gull experts find it interesting.
Regards, Phil

5th December 2007

Message no.19

A reply to message 18

Thanks for the photos Phil,
The shots of the Herring type gull are frustrating in that the legs and rear end are not shown and the overall structure of the bird is hard to see. We are left with the head and tertials as the main ID features to consider. There seems nothing in the head shape, bill shape (quite a strong gonys angle) and size to discount argenteus Herring Gull. Mild winters appear to be encouraging early body moults in many gulls (your Black-headed photos show this) and this could account for the gull's whitish head but the eye does seem to be dark which certainly is not typical for a 3rd w Herring and good for Caspian. The barred tertials are far more typical of Herring than Caspian.
The Sandwell gull is really fascinating in that it does show features of Bonapartes Gull, especially if the bill and the developing hood really are black. The legs look identical to the Black-heads, as does the tone of grey in the mantle and wings. Did you see it fly? If so, what was the underwing like? Runt Black-heads do occur and your bird is at least a good lesson and at best a very good find!
Gray

6th December 2007

Message no.21

A reply to message 19

Thanks to Gray for his analysis of the pictures of the Herring Gull and the 'small' blackheaded gull.
I have emailed another videograb of the Blackheaded - to confirm its identity.
Regards, Phil Parsons

CLICK ON THE IMAGE TO ENLARGE

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1st December 2007

Message no.17

The darker bird when it was just down from the speedboat club at 15-20hrs

Cheers, Nick Smith

26th November 2007

Message no.15

Hi Gray
I was on the top fields today. Saw two men hunting with hawks.
They were using a dog to put up prey. In the distance I saw one bird
kill what looked like a Partridge. The one man had what looked like a
gun in a bag.
Any idea if this is legal or who might know?

Geoff

25th November 2007

Message no.14

Hello,
Thanks to Paul Greeves(?), please find 3 No. 'Videograbs' of Caspian Gull filmed today at Stubbers green.
Two of the'grabs' show the second winter bird, the other 'grab' shows, what appears to me as a 3rd winter Caspian - please comment.
Regards, Phil

CLICK ON THE IMAGE TO ENLARGE

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29th November 2007

Message no.16

A reply to message 14

From further examination of the 3rd 'Videograb' of the suspect 3rd winter caspian gull - the bird appears to be a Herring Gull?
The person I met at the Stubbers Green site was Paul Jeynes not Paul Greeves.
Regards, Phil Parsons

22nd October 2007

Message no.12

I see the Red Deer cull is still ongoing at Cuckoo Bank according to the October log. Are they trying to wipe them out completely?
Geoff

25th October 2007

Message no.13

A reply to message 12

Dear Graham,
The two stags were shot on Wednesday the 3rd of October according to the rangers diary.

John Williams

3rd September 2007

Message no. 10

Thanks for the pictures of the Slavonian Grebe on the website. They have enabled me to confirm that I did see it today off the north shore.

Liz Bolton

20th August 2007

Message no.8

The photos labelled as YL Gull on 13rd August are mostly Herring Gulls (Argentatus). Mantle Colour, Lack of Yellow Legs + Big White Mirrors in primaries, and non-stout bill indicate H Gull. The immature bird may be a First Winter YL Gull.

Regards, Tom Perrins, Julian Allen

THIS MESSAGE REFERS TO IMAGES POSTED IN THE CHASEWATER DIARY FOR AUGUST; CLICK HERE TO VIEW

21st August 2007

Message no.9

A reply to message 8

At last someone has responded! Thanks Tom and Julian, I've been longing to have someone to discuss the gulls that have been so fascinating for the whole summer, yet no-one else seems to be giving them any time. I've added a few more photos to the main Diary that you may find interesting. I can assure you that the birds on August 13th had yellow legs but as they are now in 'winter' plumage the bill and legs are more subdued and they have dusky flecking around the eye, ear coverts and rear of crown. Due to moulting earlier than argentatus the adult bird has very fresh and unworn primaries. The full adult was no larger than the Lesser Black-backs which also points towards Yellow-legged rather than argentatus.
The young bird is more likely to be a second winter due to the grey in the mantle and second generation tertials, showing more white fringes than a 1st w, and most of this year's birds will still be in juvenile plumage rather than 1st winter.
It would be great to see you at the roost soon. Please keep the discussion going and it would be great to encourage others to do likewise.
All the best,
Gray

6th June 2007

Message No.4

Can someone please tell me the name or species of the enclosed photograph I took the photo on the 3rd of June 2007 at Chase water.
Kind Regards
Tom Dicken

CLICK ON THE IMAGE TO ENLARGE

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8th June 2007

Message No.5

A reply to message 4

Hi Tom, he's one of an assortment of domestic ducks resident at Chasewater. A couple of weeks ago there were a whole brood of youngsters; each with a little white bib.

Regards Natalie

9th June 2007

Message No.6

A reply to message 5

Hi Natalie
Thank you for your reply much appreciated.
Regards Tom.

19th Sept 2007

Message no 11

A reply to message 6

To Tom Dicken The so called house hold duck on the E-Mail page

I think this is a Muscovy Duck they seem to have lots of pattens no one the same

Look them up on internet hope this helps

Yours Tony

5th June 2007 Message No.3

I just want to say thank you for the Chasewater Web site. I appreciate all the time and effort that is put into it.

3rd June 2007

Message no.2

Despite the time of the year, up to 250 gulls are roosting on the lake most nights. Most are immature Lesser Black-backs but over the past couple of days two herring gull types have been causing me headaches! They look good for Yellow-legged but there are times they can look very Caspian-like. Perhaps you reckon they're just Herring Gulls. I'd love to hear your opinions. It would be good to get a discussion going.
Gray

1 Gulls 2 and 1	2 Gull 1 showing long necked and long, narrow billed appearance!	3 Gull 1 -Short necked and deep billed appearance!	4
5	6 Gull 1 on the buoy, Gull 2 on the water	7 Gull 2 – longer, thinner, paler bill, rather Caspian Gull like!	8

CLICK ON EACH IMAGE TO ENLARGE

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17th June 2007

Message no.7

A reply to message 2

On Sunday morning there were 247 large gulls loafing on the lake despite both waterski and sailing activities. Although the gulls were reasonably close in, the back lighting made them very difficult to photograph. These two presumed 2nd summer Yellow-legged Gulls, their dark bills clearly showing them to be different from last weeks birds, again show some features of Caspian Gull. Oddly they were the only gulls that appeared to have see-through nostrils!

Graham

Gull 3 2nd summer

Gull 4 habitually pecked at the buoys. Its large size is clearly shown against the Lesser Black-back.

Gull 4 1st Summer

CLICK ON EACH IMAGE TO ENLARGE

29th May 2007

Message no.1

What a great idea to replace the old Chat with this email version. Let's hope that readers will realise how easy it is to use and will start sending their observations and opinions.
Let's also hope that the weather picks up and we can get back into the dragonflies, butterflies and moths. Particularly, look out for Small Pearl-bordered Fritillaries around the Fly Bay area; there were rumours of them last year during June.
Graham Evans