home

OCTOBER 2005 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 Chasewater Chat FORUM 
September 2005  August 2005  July 2005   June 2005   May 2005   April 2005  March 2005  February 2005  January 2005  December 2004  November 2004

Key to Contributors:  Julian Allen (JA), John Bennett (JB), Martine Bevan (MB), Steve Bevan (SB), Bruce & Liz Bolton (B &  LB), Ian Butler (IB), Harvy Carter (HC), Roger Clay (RC), Gareth Clements (GC), Kevin Clements (KC), Bevan Craddock (BC), Peter Dedicoat (PD), Graham Evans (GE), Andrew Fisher (AF), Dave Garrad (DG), Brian Jones (BJ), Jackie Jones (JJ), Terry Hancox (TH), John Harris (JH), Steve Haynes (SH), Paul Hyde (PH), Robert Jeffery (RJ), Paul Jeynes (PJ), Ian Littlewood (IL), Brian McGeough (BM), Andy Mabbett (AM), Graham Mant (GJM), Chaz Mason (CM), Natalie (N), Peter Newman (PN), Steve Nuttall (SN), Eric Phillips (EGP), Ivan Poole (IP), Geoff Quemby (GQ), Bruce Read (BR), Steve Richards (SR), Geoff Richardson (GR),  Ian Ryding (IR), Bernard Smith (BS), Roy Smith (RSm), Tony Stackhouse (AS), Neil Stych (NS), Rachel Stych (RS), Steve Tomkinsons (ST), Ade Turner (AT), Ian Ward (IW), Phill Ward (PW),  Geoff Williams (GW), Ted Winks (TW), Ian Whitehouse (ICW), Nigel Wright (NW), Martyn Yapp (MY). Records also from Birdguides (BG) and WMBC Hotline (WMBC)
Click Here to Visit!
 

2005

Sightings/News

Photos
Mon
31 October

 

2 Cormorants, 2 Grey Wagtails, 55 Lapwings.

Gull Roost: 2 adult Yellow-legged Gulls, 200 Herring Gulls (GE, PJ).

1-2 Long/Short-eared Owl(s) around Fly Pool after dark (PJ).
Sunday
30 October

 

 

 

 

 

 

A night of incessant firework activity appears to have had its inevitable effect upon wildfowl numbers. Swag: 45 Wigeon, 2 Ruddies, 2 Goldeneye, 1 Tufted, 1 Brambling, 1 Chiffchaff, several Redpolls, 1 Sparrowhawk

Slurry Pool: 451 Tufted.

Other totals: 63 Mute Swans, 148 Canada Geese, 12 Pochard, 15 Teal, 3 Herons, 33 Lapwings, 9 Jackdaws, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Kestrel (GE).

1 Woodcock on Pool Road Motorway Bridge at 17:30 flew off towards the Raceway Heath (JA, PJ)

Gull Roost: 1 adult Mediterranean Gull (GE, PJ), 4 adult Great Black-backs (IW).

Cuckoo Bank: 1 Short-eared Owl at 15:30 (GR).
Sat
29 October

Jack’s Wood: 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Goldcrests (GE).

1 Cormorant, 1 Common Darter, 1 Red Admiral (PJ).

Cuckoo Bank: 6 Brambling, 2 Stonechats, 1 Buzzard, 5 Grey Partridges, 3 Pheasants, 10+ Snipe, 60 Fieldfare, Yellowhammer, Mistle Thrush, Kestrel, Bullfinch and a Stoat (GR).

Hammerwich: 3 Buzzards (GE).

 
Fri
28 October

1 Raven flew east over the dam at 09:50, 2 Kestrels, many parties of Fieldfares and Redwings flying south during the day, 1 Cormorant (GE).

Swag: 83 Wigeon (GE)

 
Thurs
27 October























 

Norton Bog/Slurry Pool: 30 Common Darters (inc 10 pairs in tandem), 1 Migrant Hawker, 1 Red Admiral, 2 Kestrels (GE).


Slurry Pool reed beds – far from the madding crowd! (GE)

North Shore: 12 Common Snipe, 3 Jack Snipe (GE).

Gull Roost: 1 adult Yellow-legged Gull (IW).

Cuckoo Bank: 40 Grey Partridges, 200 Linnets, 1 Small Tortoiseshell, 1 Red Admiral (IW), 1 Merlin, 2 Sparrowhawks((IW, BC)ST).


Norton Bog (GE)


Male Common Darter basking in the sun on the warmest late October day on record (GE).
Wed
26 October

 

 

 

 

53 Lapwings, 5 Common Gulls, 50+ Fieldfares, 4 Cormorants (GE). 7 Goldeneye (one male) (N).
Highfield Farm: 38 Magpies (GE).
Swag: 238 Wigeon, 14 imm/female Goldeneye, 12 Pochard, 2 Ruddies (GE).

Gull Roost: 1 adult Mediterranean Gull (IW),

Kingswood Lakeside: 330 graelsii Lesser Black-backs (328 adult, 1 2nd w, 1 1st w), 33 argentatus Herring Gulls (31 adult, 2 1st w), 2 adult Great Black-backs, 36 Black-headed, 101 Lapwings, 10 Fieldfares, 1000+ Starlings, 78 Canada Geese (GE).
Tues
25 October

 

 

 

Lake: 70 Lapwings, 12 Goldeneye, 2 Goldcrests, 3 Stock Doves, 120 Starlings, 20 Meadow PIpits. South-westerly movement of winter thrushes; 150 Redwings and 80 Fieldfares (GE).

Swag/Slurry: 170 Wigeon, 6 Goldeneye (including the first adult male of the autumn), 2 Buzzards, 1 Kestrel, 3 Goldcrests (GE).

Gull Roost: 1 adult Yellow-legged Gull, 9000 Black-headed Gulls (GE, IW).
Mon
24 October

 

 

 

No sign of a Yellow-browed Warbler in a 3 hour search but 3 Chiffchaffs, 2 male Blackcaps and Marsh Tit around Swag and Slurry Pool (IW).
1 Dunlin on south shore (PJ).
Gull Roost: 2 Great Black-backs but a large black cloud removed all light at 18:00 (IW).
1 Buzzard, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Grey Wag
tail, 2 Common Gulls (GE).

Cuckoo Bank: no sign of the probable Snow Bunting today (IW).
Sunday
23 October

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Swag/Slurry Pool: A possible Yellow-browed Warbler was seen briefly in the scrub between the Slurry Pool and Norton East Road. Described as a small warbler with wing bars and certainly not a Goldcrest (BE). 253 Wigeon, 11 Goldeneye, 4 Little Grebes, 1 Marsh Tit, 2 Willow Tits, 1 Chiffchaff, 40 Redpolls, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Common Darters (GE, PJ, NS, IW).

Dam: 1 male Blackcap, 1 Chiffchaff, 8 Goldcrests, 1 Coal Tit, 2 Willow Tits, 1 Grey Wagtail, 2 Sparrowhawks (GE).

Fly overs: 1 Golden Plover, 4 Cormorants, 20 Redwings, 14 Jackdaws, 8 Skylarks, 50 Wood Pigeons (GE) 70-80 Fieldfares (IW).

North Shore: 1 Short-eared Owl, 2 Stonechats, 1 Common Darter, 1 Migrant Hawker (GE, PJ, IW).

Jack’s Wood: 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker (GR).

Cuckoo Bank:C 1 probable Snow Bunting flew south over main track towards Chasewater at 09:00. It called twice but possibility of Lapland Bunting’s rippling “prrrt” call not ruled out, 2 Golden Plovers, 110-120 Fieldfares (IW).3 Buzzards, 3 Stonechats, 25 Goldfinches, 4-500 Wood Pigeons, Green and Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 50 Redwings (GR). 2 Golden Plovers (IW).


A late Common Darter. A frost-free week should enable several of them to survive into November (GE).
Sat
22 October





 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1 Lesser Canada Goose (sub sp minima), 1 Kingfisher (CM), 1 Common Sandpiper, 15 Common Snipe, 7 Jack Snipe, 77 Lapwings, 6 Little Grebes, 22 Pochard, 30 Jackdaws, 25 Redwings, 10 Redpolls, 2 Green and 1 Great Spotted Woodpeckers (GE).

Dam: 1 male Blackcap (PJ).

Swag: 1 Garganey, 211 Wigeon, 2 Teal, 9 Goldeneye (GE). 1 Marsh Tit, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 female Blackcap (PJ).

Slurry Pool: 700+ Tufted Ducks, 2 Common Darters, 1 Migrant Hawker (GE).

Hammerwich: 1 Nuthatch, a species not yet recorded for Chasewater this year; Jack’s Wood needs checking more often (GE).


Juvenile Garganey; a surprise visitor to the Swag (GE)

Canada Geese have recently been split into two species; Lesser and Greater.

Today on the south shore a feral Lesser Canada Goose joined the Greaters to provide an excellent comparison. (GE).

Frid
21 October

 

 

 

 

 

The Red-necked Grebe was last seen at about 18:00 (IW). .1 Rock Pipit (PJ), 52 Lapwings (GE).

Wind Farm Proposal: Two or three of us managed to have a look at the small Exhibition in the Scout Hut. No one from the Developers, i.e. UK Coal, came along.
We heard that the Planning Application is likely to be put in to Cannock Chase District Council around Xmas, even though much of the Survey work has not yet been done! How can the Council make a decision if the Environmental Assessment is not complete?
We heard that the number of Turbines has been reduced to 5 and that it may even come down to 4. It would appear that all are now being proposed for north of the main footpath across the site on the arable land. They considered that the restored heathland area (which was a destroyed Site of Special Scientific Interest) has now again reached SSSI standard and ought to be re-designated (BC).
Thurs
20 October

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I Red-necked Grebe, 1 Common Sandpiper, 2 Buzzards (GE, PW).

Gull Roost: 8500 Black-headed Gulls, 1500 Lesser Black-backs, 2 Great Black-backs, 4 Common Gulls, < 50 Herring Gulls (GE, IW).

The Red-necked Grebe appeared very settled as it preened in the evening sunlight. However, it was clearly time to move on, as this was the last time it was seen (GE).
 
Wed
19 October

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Whilst standing getting soaked around midday a juv/fem Red-breasted Merganser came into the scope near the western shore. It gradually toured the Res. as if new in. After flying from Target Point to drop in near The Dam it was around for a further hour or so but not seen since. Grebe still present, off The Dam all day. Also 11 Siskins over The Dam and 20 Redpolls over The Powerboat Club. 2 Stonechats below Dam (SH).

Mid afternoon, juvenile Red-necked Grebe by the dam, five Goldeneye off the northern shore and hybrid male Tufted Duck presumably with Scaup (like Tufted Duck, but dark grey upperparts, not black) on the Slurry Pool, but no sign of Merganser seen early afternoon; we arrived too late again!(KC, GC).

1 Rock Pipit on Target Point (PJ).

2 Shovelers, 2 Cormorants, 10 Redwings, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Green Woodpecker (GE).

Clayhanger: 1 male Peregrine showing an interest in the gulls flying to roost at Chasewater this evening (CM).
Tues
18 October

 

 

A Crossbill went over me whilst walking at the South end of the Dam today. Didn't see it but sounded like a single bird, Also a Rock Pipit spent a few minutes on the Dam before flying right over towards the Sailing Club.
The Red-necked Grebe and 7 Goldeneye were also present. Fewer Goldcrests and Redwings than of late (SH).

1 Buzzard, 52 Lapwings (GE).
Mon
17 October

 

 

1 Red-necked Grebe, 2 Little Grebes, 140 Lapwings, 1 Kingfisher, 4 Grey Herons, 1 Chiffchaff, 6 Rooks, 10 Redwings, 2 Goldcrests.

Swag: 105 Wigeon, 3 Little Grebes, 35 Tufted, 21 Pochard, 1 Ruddy, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Redpoll, 1 Migrant Hawker.

Slurry: 830 Tufted Ducks (865 total), 1 Pochard, 1 Pheasant (GE).
Sunday
16 October

 

 

 

1 Red-necked Grebe, 3 Ruddies, 50 Redwings, 1 male Stonechat by the overflow (GE).

Swag: 73 Wigeon (GE).

Monthly Wildfowl Count: 906 Tufted Ducks (880 on Slurry Pool, 26 on Swag), 33 Teal, 22 Pochard, 42 Wigeon, 1 Shoveler, 275 Mallard, 18 Great Crested Grebes, 3 Little Grebes, 45 Mute Swans, 844 Coot, 31 Moorhens, 1 Cormorant, 85 Canada Geese, 48 Lapwings, 1 Grey Wagtail (NS).
Sat
15 October

 

 

 

1 Red-necked Grebe.

Swag: 27 Wigeon, 64 Mallard, 20 Pochard, 31 Tufted Ducks, 2 Ruddies, 15 Moorhens, 274 Coot, 34 Canada Geese, 6 Mute Swans, 2 Little Grebes, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 3 Coal Tits, 2 Goldcrests, 10 Common Darters, 2 Migrant Hawkers (GE).

Slurry Pool: 746 Tufted (777 total) 3 Pochard (23 total).

Lake: 10 Teal, 1 Chiffchaff
Fri
14 October

1 Red-necked Grebe (GE, PJ, IW), 2 Gadwall, 1 Shoveler (PJ). No sign of the Arctic Tern.

1 adult Mediterranean Gull (PJ, IW).
Thurs
13 October

 

 

Red-necked Grebe, Arctic Tern, 1 Kingfisher, 44 Lapwings (GE, PJ, IW). 1-2 Chiffchaffs, 1 Common Snipe (PJ).

Swag: 32 Wigeon, 2 Kingfishers (GE).

Gull Roost: about 6500 Black-headed Gulls, 1400 Lesser Black-backs, <50 Herring Gulls (GE).
Wed
12 October		 Red-necked Grebe still near ski ramp. Also Arctic Tern. 2 Chiffchaffs below the dam with Goldcrests (SH).
Tues
11 October

 

 

Red-necked Grebe and Arctic Tern still present, 51 Lapwings (GE, PJ, IW, PW). 2 Common Snipe on North Shore (PJ).

Cuckoo Bank: spent a pleasant couple of hours on the bank today and had 29 Grey Partridge (are they released?), 6 Stonechats, c500 Linnets and c200 Greenfinches; can’t understand why there aren’t any Merlins there! (GM).
Mon
10 October		 1 Juvenile Red-necked Grebe, 5 Common Gulls (GE, SH, PJ, IW), 1 Arctic Tern (SH, PJ), 2 Buzzards (IW).
Sunday
9 October

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1 Juvenile Red-necked Grebe (GE, PJ, CMcS, GM, NS, PW). 1 Arctic Tern (NS, PW).

Slurry Pool: 809 Tufted Ducks, 14 Pochard, 1 Kingfisher, 2 Siskins, 2 Chiffchaffs, 1 Heron, 1 Common Snipe, 12 Jackdaws flew north, 1 Buzzard, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Red Deer (GE).

14 Cormorants flew over (NS, PW).

Swag: 1 Marsh Tit a local rarity but at least one bird appears to be a regular now, half way along the path from Norton East Road to the Slurry Pool.

Several Common Darters and Speckled Woods.

1 male Blackcap feeding on Elder berries on the dam.

Gull Roost: 6600 Black-headed Gulls, 750 Lesser Black-backs (GE).


Fly Agaric near the Swag (GE)
Sat
8 October

1 Juvenile Red-necked Grebe, 30 Pied Wagtails, 3 Grey Wagtails, 30 Meadow Pipits, 60 Linnets, 2 Swallows, 5 Redwings(GE, PJ, PW).

Red-necked Grebe, Arctic Tern and Rock Pipit. The latter was on the dam at about 10:30 but was flushed by cyclists, dog walkers, model car mechanics and fisherman. Checked the dam an hour later but no sign (SH).


Juv Red-necked Grebe (GE)

Cuckoo Bank: 1 Jack Snipe, 5 Grey Partridges, 1 Redwing, 150 Linnets (PJ).


Juvenile Red-necked Grebe (GE)
Fri
7 October

1 Juvenile Red-necked Grebe north of Waterski Club, 1 Arctic Tern, 1 Kingfisher (PJ, GE, PW).

Highfield Farm: 99 Canada Geese including 9 hybrids (GE). 
Thurs
6 October

 

4 Ruddy Ducks, 13 Pochards, 9 Wigeon (GE).

Gull Roost: 1 adult Mediterranean Gull and 2 Common Gulls amongst the Lesser Black-back and Black-headed. The small numbers of Herring Gulls appeared to be mainly dark mantled argentatus; one adult showing very little black in the white primary tips (GE).
Wed
5 October		 Arctic Tern still present and now far more mobile; often high over, catching insects (SH) also its bill is darkening and appears black unless seen at close range (GE, PJ). Common Sandpiper on island, 650 Tufted Ducks, 30 Linnets (SH), 1 Common Gull, 20 Goldfinches (GE).
Tues
4 October

1 Bar-tailed Godwit flew around at 17:46, 2 Common Terns, 2 Grey Wagtails, 2 Common Gulls. Lesser Black-backs not counted but outnumber Herring Gulls by 18 : 1. (GE).

Cuckoo Bank: Stag Red Deer bellowing, 6 Grey Partridges, 4 Common Redpolls, Siskin and a flock up to 100 Linnets (JH
Mon
3 October

 

 

Two redhead Red-breasted Mergansers dropped in near the Sailing Club at 12:15. Also at least 10 Chiffchaffs in a short walk along the west shore (SH).
1 Arctic Tern (PJ), 26 Lapwings, 7 Little Grebes, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Kestrel (GE).
Red Deer stag and hind on north shore (N).
Gull Roost: 35 Herring Gulls and 1 adult Great Black-back amongst the uncounted Black-headed and Lesser Black-backs (GE).

Sunday
2 October

 

 

 

 












 

 

 

 

 

1 juvenile Arctic Tern, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Dunlin, 1 Wheatear (PW), 2 Kingfishers (TH, IW)


Juvenile Arctic Tern (GE)

Arctic Tern showing translucent primaries, short legs and bill, steep forehead and indistinct carpel bar. By full first winter plumage both bill and legs will be black. Compare with the longer bill and legs, flatter forehead and black carpel bar on the first-winter Common Tern on September 11th (GE).

 Cuckoo Bank: 1 Wheatear, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 juv Peregrine (attacked a flock of pigeons but failed to get one. I saw a pile of pigeon feathers by a fence post for which it may have been responsible), 3 Buzzards, 2 Kestrels, 1 Sparrowhawk, 3 Grey Partridge, 2 Pheasants, 40 Lapwings. Still large numbers of Linnets but they have split into smaller flocks, the largest being about 100. Goldfinch, Greenfinch and Reed Bunting, still large numbers of Meadow Pipits and Skylarks. Red deer in woods (GR).


1st winter Common Tern - 11 Sept. (GE)
Sat
1 October

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lake: 1 Red-breasted Merganser, 1 juvenile Arctic Tern, 1 Common Sandpiper, 14 Teal, 2 Tufted, 5 Little Grebes, 25 Swallows flying south-west, 1 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel (GE).
Swag: 72 Wigeon, 19 Tufted Ducks, 3 Ruddies, 2 Little Grebes (total 7), 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 female Sparrowhawk attacked a Woodpigeon causing it to land on the water and swim with the Coots!
 Slurry Pool: 888 Tufted (total 911).
 North Heath: 4 Stonechats, 6 Common Snipe, 1 Kestrel, 6 Red Deer (GE).
 Fly Pool: 1 Water Rail, 2 Goldcrests, 1-2 Chiffchaffs (GE).
 Gull Roost: 1 adult Mediterranean Gull (IW).


Red-breasted Merganser (GE)

All images, photographs and text on this web site are the copyright © of the author or originator and the © Chasewater Wildlife Group 2002-2005.   None of the text or images may be copied or reproduced without the express permission of the the copyright holders