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  September 2007 Diary and News from Chasewater
 and Cuckoo Bank

All the latest sightings, news and photos from Chasewater, Cuckoo Bank, Clayhanger/Ryders Mere
and surrounding areas.   All records are welcome, please send them to Graham at chasewater.org.uk  (substitute @ for at) and jpeg your photos and Zip them - OR submit your records via our comments page 

August 2007   July 2007  June 2007   May 2007   April 2007  March 2007  February 2007
January 2007  December 2006  November 2006 October 2006  September 2006  August 2006  July 2006  June 2006  May 2006
April 2006  March 2006  February 2006  January 2006 

Key to Contributors

2007

Sightings/News

Photos
Sunday 30 September

09:00 2 imm Common Terns, 64 Lapwings, 2 Egyptian Geese (back from Clayhanger), 153 Canada Geese (including 6 hybrids), 1 Buzzard, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Grey Wagtail and 7 Jays flew over Highfield Farm from Brownhills Common (GE).

11:00 Cuckoo Bank: 16 Golden Plovers, 1 adult Yellow-legged Gull, 3 Herring Gulls, 100 Lesser Black-backs, 50 Black-headed Gulls, 4+ Buzzards, 2 Sparrowhawks, 2 Kestrels, 3 Grey Partridges, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Green Woodpecker, 350 Linnets, 11 Lesser Redpolls (first for the autumn), 5 Greenfinches, 1 Yellowhammer, 5 Reed Buntings, 50 Meadow Pipits, 100 Skylarks, 115 Carrion Crows, 40 Jackdaws, 75 Wood Pigeons, 1 Stock Dove, 7 Stonechats. A fine Red Deer stag bellowing to its harem of 20 hinds, 3 Brown Hares, 2 Red Admirals, several Common Darters and 1 Migrant Hawker (GE).  

Red Deer stag on Cuckoo Bank (GE).

Clayhanger Marsh: 5 Jays, 1 Little Grebe, 14 Teal, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 6 Shovelers, 1 Buzzard, 1 Snipe. The only summer visitors were two House Martins and a Chiffchaff along the Ford Brook. Tawny Owls have been active for the second consecutive day with both male and female calling during the early hours. Speckled Woods and a few Common Darters were the only insects of note but, interestingly, some of the Betony is still in flower as this has usually gone over by the end of August. 

Ryders Mere: >11 Little Grebes, 5 Great Crested Grebes, 12 Wigeon and 5 Tufted Ducks (CM).

Saturday 29 September

North Lake/shore: 1 Slavonian Grebe, 18 Great Crested Grebes, 3 Little Grebes, 1 Ruddy Duck, 2 imm Common Terns, 1 1st w Common Gull, 2 Buzzards, 11 Common Snipe, 5 Chiffchaffs.

Swag: 2 Kingfishers, 42 Tufted Ducks, 2 Ruddies, 1 Teal, 1 Little Grebe, 9 Great Crested Grebes, 2 Rooks.

Slurry Pool: 578 Tufted Ducks, 3 Pochard, 3 Ruddies (GE).

Clayhanger Marsh: 2 Egyptian Geese, 10 Swallows, 5 House Martins (CM).

Friday 28 September South shore on a damp and dark evening: 2 Egyptian Geese, 46 Lapwings, 1 juv Common/Arctic Tern (GE).

Clayhanger: 2 Redwings and a probable Peregrine (WMBC).
Thursday 27 September North Shore: 2 Stonechats, 6 Meadow Pipits, 2 Green Woodpeckers (JH). 

South Shore: 2 Egyptian Geese and an adult Black-headed Gull with white scapulars (GE).

Cuckoo Bank: Heathland:- Siskin flew over, 1 Redpoll in the alders, 3 Stonechats, 8 Common Snipe, 17 Meadow Pipits, 5 Skylarks, 2 Jays, Buzzard, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel. Fields:- 12 Grey Partridges, 15 Meadow Pipits, 2 Skylarks, flock of 150 Linnet, 1 Fox (JH).

Stubbers Green: 1 Dunlin (RC).
Wednesday 26 September 1 1st w Mediterranean Gull again on the water-ski jetty, 2 Egyptian Geese (GE).

First winter Mediterranean Gull showing distinctive pattern on the spread wing (GE).
Tuesday 25 September 18:15 - 19:15  1 Black Tern, 15 Lapwings, 2 Egyptian Geese.

Gull Roost: 1 1st w Mediterranean Gull on water-ski jetty, 1 3rd w Yellow-legged Gull, 25 Herring Gulls (GE).
Monday 24 September 1 juv Black Tern, 1 juv Arctic Tern, 2 Egyptian Geese, 1 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel (GE).
Sunday 23 September 1 Slavonian Grebe, 4 Little Grebes, 28+ Great Crested Grebes, 5 Common Snipe, 31 Lapwings, 2 House Martins.

Highfield Farm: 170 Starlings, 11 Lapwings.

Swag: 1 Buzzard, 2 Sparrowhawks, 12 Tufted Ducks, 25 Swallows, 1 Red Admiral.

Slurry Pool: 449 Tufted Ducks (total = 461 - over 200 down from Friday, almost certainly due to fireworks), 4 Ruddy Ducks, 1 Shoveler, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Migrant Hawker (GE).

Gentleshaw Common: 7 Stonechats, 2 Kestrels, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Buzzard, 1 Green Woodpecker, 3 Jays, 10 Swallows (GE, NS).

Clayhanger SSSI/Ryders Mere: 10 House Martins, 5 Swallows and a calling Willow Warbler still present, > 12 Shovelers, 39 Teal, 1 Stock Dove, 1 Water Rail heard, 1 male Sparrowhawk, 1 Jay, 1 Buzzard, 2 Ruddy Ducks. On the Mere was a minimum of 110 Lapwings, 3 Little Grebes, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 4 Tufted Ducks and 3 Stock Doves. Still several Red Admirals and one Southern Hawker (but very poor showing by Migrant Hawker this year).  A flock of 700 – 1000 Starlings was doing the weaving flight over Grange Farm by mid afternoon (CM).
Saturday 22 September South Shore at dusk: 2 Egyptian Geese, 81 Canada Geese, 3 Herons, 4500 Black-headed Gulls.

Highfield Farm: 1 Fox (GE).
Friday 21 September
South Shore: 1 adult Mediterranean Gull on pier, 40 Lapwings on Water ski jetty.
Swag: 45 Tufted Ducks, 1 Pochard, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Green Woodpecker.
Slurry Pool: 612 Tufted Ducks, 3 Ruddy Ducks, 1 Heron.
North end of Lake: 1 Slavonian Grebe, 26 Great Crested Grebes, 5 Little Grebes, 20 Tufted Ducks (total = 677), 1 Jay, 2 Chiffchaffs.
Clouds from Rugeley Power Station reflecting the sunset (GE).
Gull Roost: 4300 Black-headed Gulls, 1100 Lesser Black-backs, 1 adult Yellow-legged Gull, < 15 Herring Gulls (GE).
Moth Trapping by Sailing Club: 5 Canary-shouldered Thorns, 1 Small Phoenix, 1 Clouded Border, 2 Pink-barred Sallows, 1 Fox. Several fireworks were set off to the north, causing disturbance in the gull roost and, probably panicking the Tufties (NS, GE).
Canary-shouldered Thorn (GE).
Thursday 20 September 2 Egyptian Geese, 28 Lapwings (GE).
Wednesday 19 September 2 Egyptian Geese (GE).
Tuesday 18 September A much colder evening and Herring Gulls clearly outnumbered Yellow-legged Gulls for the first time in 5 months. 1 adult Yellow-legged Gull, <15 Herring Gulls, 2 Egyptian Geese (GE).
Monday 17 September 2 Egyptian Geese (GE).
Sunday 16 September
North end of lake: 1 Slavonian Grebe, 30 Great Crested Grebes, 1 Little Grebe, 1 Migrant Hawker.
Swag: 2 Yellow-legged Gulls (1 adult, 1 2nd w), 27 Tufted Ducks, 1 Ruddy Duck, 21 Coot, 72 Mallard, 3 Moorhens, 9 Great Crested Grebes, 1 Kingfisher, 20 House Martins, 2 Mistle Thrushes, several Common Darters, 10 Speckled Woods.

Slurry Pool: 652 Tufted Ducks (total = 679), including one with a turquoise 'bill saddle', 3 Ruddy Ducks, 1 Little Grebe, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 3 Mute Swans, 1 Migrant Hawker.
Tufted Duck with 'bill saddle' (GE).
WeBS: 31 Mute Swans, 12 Canada Geese, 2 Egyptian Geese, 139 Mallard, 552 Tufted Ducks, 3 Ruddy Ducks, 38 Great Crested Grebes, 1 Slavonian Grebe, 2 Herons, 391 Coot, 15 Moorhens, 35 Lapwings, 1 Sparrowhawk (NS).

19:00 Gull Roost: 1 adult Mediterranean Gull (same as on the 8th), 3500 Black-headed Gulls and around 550 large gulls not closely examined due to a sudden change in the weather! (GE).
Saturday 15 September 1 Slavonian Grebe (N, IW, PW), 10 Little Grebes (N, IW), 2 Kingfishers, 2 Common Snipe, 2 Egyptian Geese (PW).

Clayhanger Marsh: 1 Hobby, 1 Water Rail, 18 Teal, 2 Shovelers, 3 Common Snipe, 1 Kingfisher, 200+ Canada Geese, 1 Willow Tit, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Stock Doves (CM, GE)

Ryders Mere: 5 Little Grebes (CM).

Friday 14 September 2 Egyptian Geese (GE).

The pier at sunset. Always worth checking out for Mediterranean Gulls (GE).
Thursday 13 September 1 Slavonian Grebe (Birdguides), 2 Egyptian Geese.

Highfield Farm: 30 Lapwings (GE).
Wednesday 12 September 1 Slavonian Grebe, 4 Wigeon, 1 Kingfisher, 3 Herons.

Swag: 61 Tufted Ducks, 1 Kingfisher, 1-2 House Martins, Swallows and Chiffchaffs.

Slurry Pool: 508 Tufted Ducks - total = 569 (GE).
Tuesday 11 September  
1 Knot (a new species for the year), 1 juv Arctic Tern, 2 Egyptian Geese (GE).

Knot on the Sailing Shore (GE).
Monday 10 September North end of Lake: 1 Slavonian Grebe, 1 Little Grebe, 30 Great Crested Grebes, 5 Tufted Ducks.

South Shore: 2 Egyptian Geese.

Swag: 20 Tufted Ducks, 6 House Martins, 2 Bullfinches.

Slurry Pool: 436 Tufted Ducks (total = 461) (GE).
Sunday 9 September 1 female or imm Pintail (a new species for the year), 1 Slavonian Grebe (PW).

Swag: 1 Kingfisher, 1 Jay (CM).

20:00  3+ Yellow-legged Gulls, 750 Lesser Black-backs, 3500 Black-headed Gulls, 2 Egyptian Geese, 29 Pied Wagtails (GE).

Kingswood: 2 Whinchats (WMBC).

Clayhanger: 1 Migrant Hawker (CM).
Saturday 8 September 1 Slavonian Grebe, 1 adult and 1 juv Arctic Tern, 3 Little Grebes, 3 Herons, 47 Lapwings, 1 Buzzard, 2 Kestrels, 1 Sand Martin, 25 House Martins, 2 Swallows, 20 Pied Wagtails, 1 Blackcap, sev Chiffchaffs, 6 Jackdaws.

Swag:31 Tufted Ducks.

Slurry Pool: 419 Tufted Ducks (total = 450), 2 Ruddy Ducks.

20:00 1 adult Mediterranean Gull on the pier (GE).

Spot the Mediterranean Gull!

A couple of record shots in the failing light (GE).

Friday 7 September Gull Roost: 3 Yellow-legged Gulls - 2 adults and 1 3rd winter, 2 Herons (GE).
Thursday 6 September

North end of Lake: 1 Slavonian Grebe, 25 Great Crested Grebes, 1 Little Grebe.

Swag: 44 Tufted Ducks, 1 Kingfisher.

Slurry Pool: 380 Tufted Ducks - total = 424 (GE).

Clayhanger Marsh: 24 Teal, 2 Shovelers, 1 Ruddy Duck, 1 Little Grebe, 3 Stock Doves, 2 Jays.
Ryder's Mere: 3 Little Grebes, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 1 Sparrowhawk (CM).
Wednesday 5 September South Shore at dusk: 2 Egyptian Geese, 34 Lapwings, 1 Heron, 1 Kestrel (GE).
Tuesday 4 September North end of Lake: 1 Slavonian Grebe, 29 Great Crested Grebes.

South Shore: 2 Egyptian Geese.

Swag: 26 Tufted Ducks, 1 Shoveler, 9 Great Crested Grebes, 1-2 Chiffchaffs.

Slurry Pool: 352 Tufted Ducks (total = 378), 1 Heron, 1 Chiffchaff, 10 Goldfinches, 3 Swallows, 1 Brown Hawker (GE).
Monday 3 September 1 Slavonian Grebe (LB), 2 Egyptian Geese (GE).
Sunday 2 September 1 Slavonian Grebe (WMBC), 2 Egyptian Geese, 1 juv Common Gull (GE).

Clayhanger Marsh: 2 Swifts, 2 Wigeon, 10 Teal, 3 Shovelers, 1 Little Grebe, 3 Buzzards, 1 Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Swallow, House Martin and the first Sand Martin for weeks.

Ryder's Mere: 4 Little Grebes, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 2 Tufted, 1 Gadwall (CM) .
Saturday 1 September 1 Slavonian Grebe.

Swag: 53 Tufted Ducks, 1 Coal Tit, 1-2 Chiffchaffs and Willow Warblers.

Slurry Pool: 251 Tufted Ducks (total = 304), 5 Ruddy Ducks, 1 Sparrowhawk, 10 Goldfinches, 2-3 Migrant and Brown Hawkers, many Common Darters, 1 Small Copper, 3 Common Blues (GE).

Cuckoo Bank: 2 Willow Warblers, 6 Spotted Flycatchers, 1 female Blackcap, 1 Hobby, 200+ Common Darters (N, PS)

Clayhanger Marsh: 3 Little Grebes, 2 Shoveler, 6 Teal, 2 Buzzards,  4 Canada Hybrids, Sparrowhawk, 1 Water Rail, Blackcap and Willow Warbler and an over flying Tree Pipit, only my second confirmed site record.

Ryder's Mere: 4 Little Grebes, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Ruddy Duck, 1 Jackdaw (CM).