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stoke on trent hotspots (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter rayman64
- Start date
dan pointon
Can't Stop
Hi Rayman,
Firstly, there's definitely more to birding in Staffordshire than Westport Lake........thank god, but it does get good birds, and can often hold a few birds, although Sylvia Staffs and Querquedula are better versed on the place than me. I would reccommend to you Blithfield Res, its a bit out of S-O-T, but it's always got something to see, especially during the migration period. Belvide and Chasewater Reservoirs are a bit further away, but equally good for birds, and Chasewater has an extremely impressive gull roost in the winter months. Also in that general vacinity there's Cannock Chase, which in the summer is a haven for woodland birds, such as Redstart, Pied Fly, Wood Warbler and others. Nearer to home for you are the North Staffs Moors, they have Red Grouse, S E Owl, Golden Plover, and in the summer Whinchat, Ring Ouzel, Hobby and many other interesting species. The best places to try are Swallow Moss and Knotbury, both of which can be seen on an OS Map.(if you want further directions PM me). Also nearby are Tittesworth and Rudyard res's, these do not seem to get such a large volume of good birds, but i imagine they are underwatched. In the actual near vacinity of Stoke there is quite a lot of sites which i don't know much about, you're possibly best waiting for one of the Stoke lads to post you info about that. Off the top of my head there's Black Bank, Berry Hill, Knyp Reservoir (has Lesser Peckers in the spring) and Apedale CP. Sorry i can't tell you more about these sites but nevertheless they all attract decent birds.
Hope this is of use,
Dan
Firstly, there's definitely more to birding in Staffordshire than Westport Lake........thank god, but it does get good birds, and can often hold a few birds, although Sylvia Staffs and Querquedula are better versed on the place than me. I would reccommend to you Blithfield Res, its a bit out of S-O-T, but it's always got something to see, especially during the migration period. Belvide and Chasewater Reservoirs are a bit further away, but equally good for birds, and Chasewater has an extremely impressive gull roost in the winter months. Also in that general vacinity there's Cannock Chase, which in the summer is a haven for woodland birds, such as Redstart, Pied Fly, Wood Warbler and others. Nearer to home for you are the North Staffs Moors, they have Red Grouse, S E Owl, Golden Plover, and in the summer Whinchat, Ring Ouzel, Hobby and many other interesting species. The best places to try are Swallow Moss and Knotbury, both of which can be seen on an OS Map.(if you want further directions PM me). Also nearby are Tittesworth and Rudyard res's, these do not seem to get such a large volume of good birds, but i imagine they are underwatched. In the actual near vacinity of Stoke there is quite a lot of sites which i don't know much about, you're possibly best waiting for one of the Stoke lads to post you info about that. Off the top of my head there's Black Bank, Berry Hill, Knyp Reservoir (has Lesser Peckers in the spring) and Apedale CP. Sorry i can't tell you more about these sites but nevertheless they all attract decent birds.
Hope this is of use,
Dan
sylvia staffs
Filthy tick hungary Twitcher
If Westport lake is overcrowded, you are going there when it is nice and sunny which are totally wrong weather conditions. If the weather is poor then go to Westport lake!!!!
if the weather is bador has been bad go to Westport!!! This means going on cold/damp/foggy/wet mornings like us regulars and you might just see something.
Heres a list of some of the birds i have seen there 5 B N grebes, Little, Sandwich, 6 different Black and numerous Common Terns, Shag, knot, Sanderling, greenshank, Grey Phalarope, Goshawk, Marsh harrier, Arctic and Mealy redpoll, 2 Yellow Browed Warblers, Y L Gull,Med Gulls, 2 Garganey, Barn Owl and Siberian Chiffchaff.
My total Westport List stands at 136 not bad for an uran park in the middle of Stoke-on-trent!!!!
The local birders there are very friendly and helpful and are usually present every morning between 06.30am until 11.00am so if you want to find something yourself you have to get there early. If its quiet like it is 99% of the time we stand on the carpark scanning up the valley for visible migration and swap bird stories and information. Sometimes you will drop lucky like last year when the Marsh harrier flew through for a lucky few(including me!) or you could be unlucky like me when i was deep in the nature reserve when i was phoned to say an Osprey was going through which i duely missed and still need for there!!
Go and have a see you might not see many birds but you will make some birding friends!!!!!!!
Phill.
if the weather is bador has been bad go to Westport!!! This means going on cold/damp/foggy/wet mornings like us regulars and you might just see something.
Heres a list of some of the birds i have seen there 5 B N grebes, Little, Sandwich, 6 different Black and numerous Common Terns, Shag, knot, Sanderling, greenshank, Grey Phalarope, Goshawk, Marsh harrier, Arctic and Mealy redpoll, 2 Yellow Browed Warblers, Y L Gull,Med Gulls, 2 Garganey, Barn Owl and Siberian Chiffchaff.
My total Westport List stands at 136 not bad for an uran park in the middle of Stoke-on-trent!!!!
The local birders there are very friendly and helpful and are usually present every morning between 06.30am until 11.00am so if you want to find something yourself you have to get there early. If its quiet like it is 99% of the time we stand on the carpark scanning up the valley for visible migration and swap bird stories and information. Sometimes you will drop lucky like last year when the Marsh harrier flew through for a lucky few(including me!) or you could be unlucky like me when i was deep in the nature reserve when i was phoned to say an Osprey was going through which i duely missed and still need for there!!
Go and have a see you might not see many birds but you will make some birding friends!!!!!!!
Phill.
Nick Smith
Member of the Staffordshire Bird Club
Heres a list of some of the birds i have seen there 5 B N grebes, Little, Sandwich, 6 different Black and numerous Common Terns, Shag, knot, Sanderling, greenshank, Grey Phalarope, Goshawk, Marsh harrier, Arctic and Mealy redpoll, 2 Yellow Browed Warblers, Y L Gull,Med Gulls, 2 Garganey, Barn Owl and Siberian Chiffchaff.
My total Westport List stands at 136 not bad for an uran park in the middle of Stoke-on-trent!!!!
It depends what you want out of birding. Westport is an excellent local patch. It takes me 45mins every morning to 'do' to a fashion. I've made 120+ visits so far this year - highlights Barn Owl, BNGrebe but also Redshank (my 2nd), two Peregrines, first Snipe for years, first Stonechat, PF Goose etc.
Also, to add to Sylvia's list, I've seen Ring-billed Gull and Little Auk. Sylvia must have forgot to put these on her list!
Its there to be bashed everyday. Avoid Sunday summer afternoons. Before ten its still quiet.
If you want more excitement, then as the boy lister says, there are excellent reservoirs to be seen. In Staffs this year, i've seen 170+ species. Many other birders have seen more.
Any other info, drop me/Sylvia/whoeever a note
My total Westport List stands at 136 not bad for an uran park in the middle of Stoke-on-trent!!!!
It depends what you want out of birding. Westport is an excellent local patch. It takes me 45mins every morning to 'do' to a fashion. I've made 120+ visits so far this year - highlights Barn Owl, BNGrebe but also Redshank (my 2nd), two Peregrines, first Snipe for years, first Stonechat, PF Goose etc.
Also, to add to Sylvia's list, I've seen Ring-billed Gull and Little Auk. Sylvia must have forgot to put these on her list!
Its there to be bashed everyday. Avoid Sunday summer afternoons. Before ten its still quiet.
If you want more excitement, then as the boy lister says, there are excellent reservoirs to be seen. In Staffs this year, i've seen 170+ species. Many other birders have seen more.
Any other info, drop me/Sylvia/whoeever a note
Nick Smith
Member of the Staffordshire Bird Club
rayman64 said:
Oh and by the way, Shugborough is good for Kingfishers. I think both species currently on the GB list have been seen there, but the boy lister can confirm this for us.
Cheers
rayman64
Well-known member
Querquedula said:
thanks for that info folks but can i just say i was in no way shape or form knocking wesport i,ve spent hours there [all hours]and in all weathers we may have passed or even spoken in the past.i will give the early mornings a try i would have loved to have seen the goshawk how far back was that
rayman 64
dan pointon
Can't Stop
Rayman i don't think they thought you were knocking Westport, they're just very enthusiastic about the place, and they're show offs - hence the big lists, lol!!!! Really Nick, isn't it time you dropped the Kingfisher gag now???? Also lads, could you post some info about Apedale CP and the other Stoke 'spots' as i could do with some info on them too!!!
Cheers,
Dan
Cheers,
Dan
sylvia staffs
Filthy tick hungary Twitcher
The Goshawk was way back in 2001 and was only seen by 2 other people including Mr Westport himself (Mr W lowe!!!!!) It was above the ridge that runs along the A500 and was with a Sparrowhawk and is still only the 2nd Record!!!
I have seen Goshawks back in the Nineties displaying at Parkhall CP, and there is also a population on Cannock Chase!!!!
I also forgot to mention Glaucous Gull last winter at Westport lake, boy lister where were you for that one!!!!
Sylvia
XX
I have seen Goshawks back in the Nineties displaying at Parkhall CP, and there is also a population on Cannock Chase!!!!
I also forgot to mention Glaucous Gull last winter at Westport lake, boy lister where were you for that one!!!!
Sylvia
XX
rayman64
Well-known member
sylvia staffs said:The Goshawk was way back in 2001 and was only seen by 2 other people including Mr Westport himself (Mr W lowe!!!!!) It was above the ridge that runs along the A500 and was with a Sparrowhawk and is still only the 2nd Record!!!
I have seen Goshawks back in the Nineties displaying at Parkhall CP, and there is also a population on Cannock Chase!!!!
I also forgot to mention Glaucous Gull last winter at Westport lake, boy lister where were you for that one!!!!
Sylvia
XX
all good stuff thanks everyone :gn:
Nick Smith
Member of the Staffordshire Bird Club
rayman64 said:
Its a most frustrating place with a few good rewards. At the moment, there is a Shoveler. Look forward to seeing that again tomorrow for the third day running. Still looking for Wryneck as well, but that ain't showed yet.
PS. OK Boy Lister. No more mentions of Shugboro. Will be in contact tomorrow evening about weekend.
Also, Apedale info - Nick Pomskua or Phil Jones both spend too long there. If there's owt there, news is normally put out.
sylvia staffs
Filthy tick hungary Twitcher
dwayne950 said:
NO!!!!!!
I am surpressing Apedale CP/Blackbank from you!!!!!!!
I have only seen a couple of good Birds there , my 2nd Staffs Richards Pipit, 2nd & 3rd Quails (thanks to some excellent flushing from Joe the big listing Airedale Terrerier but thats another story for a long drive to from a Twitch!!)
and my 1st and only Staffs Lapland Bunting!!!!!!
Directions
From Newcastle take the A34 to the milehouse Roundabout and turn left down Milehouse lane. Follow this to the end and turn right at the Mini roundabout onto the B5367 to Alsagers bank. You will start going up hill after half a mile, on your right is Apedale CP on your left is Blackbank, which includes the Void an ex opencast mining area with two pools on which can hold waders and wildfowl which included a Scaup all this winter, which also visited Westport.
Dont worry if anything good gets found i will hear of it and contact everyone by the usual means!!!!
Is that ok for you boy lister!!!
I predict Greenish for you this Weekend!!!!
Keep ticking.
Sylvia.
mountain man
Guest
I've got Grey Phal, Sandwich Tern and Yellow-browed Warbler on my Westport list. I'm also pretty sure I had a Jack Snipe at Westport as well, but I might be thinking of somewhere else - Lower Moors maybe ?
I remember that there used to be (this is at least 10 years ago) a regular Barn Owl hunting at dusk along the canal between the Incinerator near Hanford and the big carp fishing pools (can't remember what they were called, but they were near to the Britannia Stadium).
When I was at 6th Form College in Fenton I often went up to Fenton Hills around the big radio mast. Once had a Grasshopper Warbler in spring and regularly had Golden Plover. I also once observed a big passage of Redwing in late October. Apparently there have been Short-eared Owl there and someone once told me a Richard's Pipit as well???
I still go to Parkhall every Xmas and quite enjoy it. Willow Tit on the feeders just by the info centre, resident Little Owl in the first quarry and a few LEOs in the pines (best found by asking the dog walkers which trees they are in!) as well as Siskin.
My local patch was Hartshill Park, but I wouldn't wish that on anyone.
?I remember that there used to be (this is at least 10 years ago) a regular Barn Owl hunting at dusk along the canal between the Incinerator near Hanford and the big carp fishing pools (can't remember what they were called, but they were near to the Britannia Stadium).
When I was at 6th Form College in Fenton I often went up to Fenton Hills around the big radio mast. Once had a Grasshopper Warbler in spring and regularly had Golden Plover. I also once observed a big passage of Redwing in late October. Apparently there have been Short-eared Owl there and someone once told me a Richard's Pipit as well???
I still go to Parkhall every Xmas and quite enjoy it. Willow Tit on the feeders just by the info centre, resident Little Owl in the first quarry and a few LEOs in the pines (best found by asking the dog walkers which trees they are in!) as well as Siskin.
My local patch was Hartshill Park, but I wouldn't wish that on anyone.
mallingbirder
Well-known member
I'm going to staying very near to Apedale this weekend, can any tell me what's around at the moment and where the best locations are? Do you get stonechat there in the winter - my father-in-law who's agrden backs onto the park reckons he had one in the garden a couple of weeks ago (assures me it wasn't a Robin or Brambling)!
Cheers
Adam
Cheers
Adam
sylvia staffs
Filthy tick hungary Twitcher
Adam
I have e-mailed you. Hope this helps.
Sylvia
I have e-mailed you. Hope this helps.
Sylvia
John Sherratt
Well-known member
I'd recommend a trip to Park Hall Country Park. An "Owl Walk" there earlier this month orgainsed by the Wardens there produced a group of about 60! and we found 3 Long Eared Owl, Little Owl, Golden Plover, Redwings and Fieldfares (flocks in field to the north and north west of the park) with Willow Tits, Bullfinches and Yellowhammers just by the visitor centre.
John
John
