tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14560184069760250092024-03-13T10:54:24.053+00:00Birds of Earlswood<b>...and surrounding areas</b><br><br><br><br><br><br><br>
A blog for the recording of mainly birds seen in the Earlswood area of Warwickshire, England. Sites within this area include Earlswood Lakes (Terry's Pool, Engine Pool and Windmill Pool), Clowes Wood and New Fallings Coppice SSSI, and Earlswood Moathouse NR. Notable sightings from nearby areas may also be included.<br>
Your sightings and counts would be gratefully received. Please email them with your name to the address below.Matt Griffithshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08393601887748397483noreply@blogger.comBlogger405125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1456018406976025009.post-85918687884685459062023-02-18T12:20:00.004+00:002023-02-18T12:47:23.304+00:00More threat of development in and around Earlswood<p>My last post on here was about a threat of development in the Solihull Borough part of Earlswood, and unfortunately this one will have the same theme as it appears that the Stratford District part of Earlswood now faces a similar risk. Stratford and Warwick District Councils are working together to produce a new South Warwickshire Local Plan to cover their combined geographic area. This plan will determine where, when and how housing and other development will occur up to the year 2050. It is at an early stage and currently a consultation is being undertaken on a number of options including the creation of new settlements and expansion of existing settlements.</p><p>Some of these options will affect the Earlswood area if taken forward. In recent weeks, since the consultation started, there has been much discussion on social media regarding Wood End being considered in the Local Plan as a possible site for a new settlement. The indirect effects of this are obvious for those of us who've witnessed changes in the local area since the Dickens Heath, Tidbury Green, etc developments over the last few decades.</p><p>There has been a "call for sites" that has resulted in several areas of land within the Earlswood area itself being put forward, mainly by developers. There is also a second "call for sites" currently underway alongside the consultation. These sites have yet to be assessed by the local authority for suitability for inclusion in the Local Plan as development locations, so are less concerning at this stage, despite covering a very large portion of Earlswood. For the latest details on these sites, see <a href="https://www.southwarwickshire.org.uk/swlp/call-for-sites.cfm" target="_blank">this page on the Local Plan website</a>.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNgM3s1H8xGRDkQOkBg2y6buNCfyud3Z-vAny44RZuVs1vcf8cD-q4HeGORxVJ4dowh3_MwewaTcn_Jr7wOyRrdUbffV7UKtZrY532XfyCx7vNo5AwzoqNOAoHymjfLy7OMiPmAPNdGHhZMtKhmA6plI_M7cI5e-DoOk9nMdPe954JIq9AGW3KB55SUA/s1301/Call%20for%20Site%20Jan'22.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="434" data-original-width="1301" height="107" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNgM3s1H8xGRDkQOkBg2y6buNCfyud3Z-vAny44RZuVs1vcf8cD-q4HeGORxVJ4dowh3_MwewaTcn_Jr7wOyRrdUbffV7UKtZrY532XfyCx7vNo5AwzoqNOAoHymjfLy7OMiPmAPNdGHhZMtKhmA6plI_M7cI5e-DoOk9nMdPe954JIq9AGW3KB55SUA/s320/Call%20for%20Site%20Jan'22.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Call for sites up to early February.</td></tr></tbody></table>More concerning is another option being considered for development around the edges of existing settlements (Issues S4 and S7 in <a href="https://southwarwickshire.oc2.uk/document/124/3728#d3728" target="_blank">Chapter 4</a>), as the list of such settlements includes Earlswood. There are 22 "Small Settlement Locations", of which Earlswood is one, that have had analyses done "for intermediate scale, chiefly residential, development for between 50-500 homes in any one location". The analyses for Earlswood are in <a href="https://www.southwarwickshire.org.uk/doc/211687/name/Settlement%20Design%20Analysis%20Appendix%202.pdf" target="_blank">Appendix 2</a> of the <a href="https://www.southwarwickshire.org.uk/doc/211519/name/Settlement%20Design%20Analysis.pdf" target="_blank">South Warwickshire Settlement Analysis</a>. Delving further into this, in the <a href="https://www.southwarwickshire.org.uk/swlp/technical-evidence.cfm" target="_blank">Technical Evidence documents</a>, it appears that land at Earlswood under consideration in this option is a sizeable area to the east of Shutt Lane and Earlswood Common, which includes the National Trust's Old Moathouse Farm estate and Earlswood Moathouse Nature Reserve. The kind ladies who gifted their land to the National Trust for preservation as a "bird sanctuary" would be turning in their graves! The land to the east of Earlswood Common is known to have a population of Great Crested Newts.<div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq2r1rpT2XIhhaN2oz28pkXX6URYOlLbmTFtYEknAsJvNwPJq_Uew1zULw0Ao58CTutbDyfwVrckm-ZkCnOom74iChhaXaY3PNss2OxGM2kt6ShWnWUQojK8-DBb-TZeMyxHyFEr9Scw0zInh2f9JISr_Xo4e151l3nUtIMVE_5gRNkl2pib40kz8MCw/s943/Earlswood%20growth.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="943" data-original-width="662" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq2r1rpT2XIhhaN2oz28pkXX6URYOlLbmTFtYEknAsJvNwPJq_Uew1zULw0Ao58CTutbDyfwVrckm-ZkCnOom74iChhaXaY3PNss2OxGM2kt6ShWnWUQojK8-DBb-TZeMyxHyFEr9Scw0zInh2f9JISr_Xo4e151l3nUtIMVE_5gRNkl2pib40kz8MCw/s320/Earlswood%20growth.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Small Settlement Location" at Earlswood</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>There is also mention of "M42 Widening – land either side of Junction 3a to help reduce congestion where the M40 joins the M42". There are ancient woodlands that adjoin the motorways there.</div><div><p>The consultation can be viewed at <a href="https://www.southwarwickshire.org.uk/swlp/issuesandoptions" target="_blank">https://www.southwarwickshire.org.uk/swlp/issuesandoptions</a>. If you have any comments to make on it, be sure to send them in before the deadline of March 6th!</p></div></div>Matt Griffithshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08393601887748397483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1456018406976025009.post-11102658581933705882021-08-15T20:04:00.008+01:002021-08-15T20:08:35.591+01:00Property developers seeking to build at Fulford Heath<p>Property developers are currently trying to get the Fulford Heath area of Earlswood included in the <a href="https://www.solihull.gov.uk/Planning-and-building-control/Local-Plan-Review" target="_blank">Solihull Local Plan</a> as an area designated for future development, which would then make it easier for them to get planning permission. The draft plan is due to be independently examined by planning inspectors from September 27th, and there is a possibility of the land being added to the plan if the inspectors agree with other local authorities that the plan is short of a few thousand homes for house-building requirements.</p><p>The developers are seeking to change everything, even the placename as they're promoting it as "Fulford Green"! More houses would put more pressure on the lakes, woods and local wildlife in general. This is something to keep a watchful eye on...</p><p>Further info at:</p><p><a href="https://summix.com/projects/land-at-fulford-hall-farm/?fbclid=IwAR1bnPZ2Wt8lqPVB2_LtCEpKOW8czCJQwUJfMjO1bBWD3Rm60WePh0b57Yg" target="_blank">https://summix.com/projects/land-at-fulford-hall-farm/?fbclid=IwAR1bnPZ2Wt8lqPVB2_LtCEpKOW8czCJQwUJfMjO1bBWD3Rm60WePh0b57Yg</a></p><p><a href="https://ldn-collective.com/insights/fulford-green-a-21st-century-garden-village" target="_blank">https://ldn-collective.com/insights/fulford-green-a-21st-century-garden-village</a></p><p><a href="https://cllrkenhawkins.co.uk/2021/08/06/land-at-fulford-hall-farm-promoted-as-fulford-green/" target="_blank">https://cllrkenhawkins.co.uk/2021/08/06/land-at-fulford-hall-farm-promoted-as-fulford-green/ </a></p><p>A facebook group for discussing the Fulford Heath development has been set up at:</p><p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/368528731424491" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/groups/368528731424491</a></p>Matt Griffithshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08393601887748397483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1456018406976025009.post-31317069640990056352021-05-03T17:26:00.001+01:002021-05-03T17:26:50.675+01:00Earlswood all-dayer - Spring 2021Well, with the easing of COVID restrictions, this year's Earlswood spring all-day birdwatch went ahead, which was a massive relief after we weren't able to do one last spring due to the first lockdown. The all-dayer took place last Saturday (May 1st), and I'm very pleased to say that we set a new record for the highest number of bird species found during a single day at Earlswood, with a total of 78 bird species found by the team! A fantastic result, and following our highest ever autumn total on patch last year! Our previous highest total ever was 77 species during the all-dayer in spring 2016.<div><br /></div><div>Species totals for previous spring all-dayers have been as follows:</div><div>2019 - 64 spp</div><div>2018 - 64 spp</div><div>2017 - 65 spp</div><div>2016 - 77 spp</div><div>2015 - 65 spp</div><div><br /></div><div>Like the autumn all-dayer last year, a large proportion of Earlswood's birders took part. Also, at the lakes, the habitat is excellent at the moment with a lot of exposed shore at all three pools (including Terry's Pool for the first time in living memory), plus there are some path and road closures which appear to have reduced human visitor numbers in general to the area, coupled with the easing of national travel restrictions allowing people to go elsewhere, encouraging birds like waders to stick around. I think these are the main reasons why we got such a brilliant result, despite there being limited signs of bird migration!</div><div><br /></div><div>The star birds on the day were two long-stayers, both of which had been present for some days: a female <b>Ring Ouzel</b> at Manor Farm and a <b>Greenshank </b>at Engine Pool. Other highlights included a very late flock of 27 <b>Fieldfare </b>at Springbrook Farm, a female <b>Wheatear</b> at Engine Pool, up to 6 <b>Yellow Wagtail </b>at Windmill Pool, and a <b>Hobby </b>over Earlswood Common. Probably for the first time ever on a spring all-dayer, we didn't record Mute Swan as the local pair are nesting outside the patch area. Another miss was Sedge Warbler, one of which had been at Spring Brook Scrubland for some days prior.</div><div><br /></div><div>A great effort by the team, which comprised John Bishop, Jon Chidwick, Brian Earl, myself, Ash Grove, Yvonne Heward, Bill Ingham, Janet James, Mike Jeeves, Pete Morgan, John Oates, Joe Owen, Tony Philp, John Sirrett and Jim Winsper - thanks to all for their participation in the field. Further thanks to John Sirrett for collating the species list on the day. The full list was as follows:</div><div><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>Black-headed Gull</li><li>Blackbird</li><li>Blackcap</li><li>Blue Tit</li><li>Bullfinch</li><li>Buzzard</li><li>Canada Goose</li><li>Carrion Crow</li><li>Chaffinch</li><li>Chiffchaff</li><li>Coal Tit</li><li>Collared Dove</li><li>Common Sandpiper</li><li>Common Tern</li><li>Common Whitethroat</li><li>Coot</li><li>Cormorant</li><li>Cuckoo</li><li>Dunnock</li><li>Feral Pigeon</li><li>Fieldfare</li><li>Garden Warbler</li><li>Goldcrest</li><li>Goldfinch</li><li>Great Crested Grebe</li><li>Great Spotted Woodpecker</li><li>Great Tit</li><li>Green Woodpecker</li><li>Greenfinch</li><li>Greenshank</li><li>Grey Heron</li><li>Grey Wagtail</li><li>Greylag Goose</li><li>Herring Gull</li><li>Hobby</li><li>House Martin</li><li>House Sparrow</li><li>Jackdaw</li><li>Jay</li><li>Kestrel</li><li>Kingfisher</li><li>Lapwing</li><li>Lesser Black-backed Gull</li><li>Lesser Redpoll</li><li>Lesser Whitethroat</li><li>Linnet</li><li>Little Egret</li><li>Little Ringed Plover</li><li>Long-tailed Tit</li><li>Magpie</li><li>Mallard</li><li>Marsh Tit</li><li>Mistle Thrush</li><li>Moorhen</li><li>Nuthatch</li><li>Oystercatcher</li><li>Pheasant</li><li>Pied Wagtail</li><li>Raven</li><li>Reed Bunting</li><li>Ring Ouzel</li><li>Robin</li><li>Rook</li><li>Sand Martin</li><li>Skylark</li><li>Song Thrush</li><li>Sparrowhawk</li><li>Starling</li><li>Stock Dove</li><li>Swallow</li><li>Tawny Owl</li><li>Treecreeper</li><li>Tufted Duck</li><li>Wheatear</li><li>Willow Warbler</li><li>Woodpigeon</li><li>Wren</li><li>Yellow Wagtail</li></ol><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JPE9asBz1VU/YJAhy-4b40I/AAAAAAAACqw/W6T1js2DV7U7vrldm1KTGEvaF4_7QvINQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1200/HT7A2539SE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="811" data-original-width="1200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JPE9asBz1VU/YJAhy-4b40I/AAAAAAAACqw/W6T1js2DV7U7vrldm1KTGEvaF4_7QvINQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/HT7A2539SE.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Greenshank, Black-headed Gull and Tufted Ducks at Engine Pool, 01/05/2021 (Brian Earl)</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div>Within the West Midlands as a whole, a total of 33 sites participated in the all-dayer on the same day. Earlswood fared quite well again! Well done to all who took part, and thanks to Phil Andrews who has once again collated the following results:</div><div><br /></div><div>103 - Branston GP</div><div>103 - Ladywalk</div><div>101 - Middleton Lakes</div><div> 97 - Grimley</div><div> 93 - Belvide</div><div> 91 - Upton Warren</div><div> 91 - Chasewater</div><div> 84 - Marsh Lane</div><div> 83 - Dairy Farm</div><div> 81 - Sandwell Valley</div><div> 81 - Venus Pool</div><div><b> 78 - Earlswood</b></div><div> 76 - Coney Meadows</div><div> 76 - Doxey Marshes</div><div> 75 - Alvecote</div><div> 75 - Whitemoor Haye</div><div> 75 - Stoke patches</div><div> 74 - Coombe CP</div><div> 73 - Highgate Common</div><div> 73 - Sutton Park</div><div> 69 - Coventry patches</div><div> 67 - Morton Bagot</div><div> 67 - Puxton Marsh</div><div> 67 - Salford Priors GP</div><div> 63 - Wyre Forest</div><div> 63 - Northwick</div><div> 62 - Smestow Valley</div><div> 62 - Edgbaston Reservoir</div><div> 60 - Halesowen patches</div><div> 57 - Little Aston</div><div> 54 - Avon Meadows</div><div> 50 - Babbs Mill</div><div> 48 - Kings Norton</div><div><br /></div><div>Further details for each patch may be posted later on.</div><div><br /></div><div>Matt</div>Matt Griffithshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08393601887748397483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1456018406976025009.post-3089529642728812602020-09-17T21:49:00.002+01:002020-09-17T21:53:21.650+01:00Earlswood all-dayer - Autumn 2020<p>This year's Earlswood autumn all-day birdwatch took place on Saturday 5th September, and it was a day to remember with a total of 71 bird species found by the team - our highest ever autumn total on patch! Previous autumn species totals have been 63 in 2019, 69 in 2018, 63 in 2017, 57 in 2016 and 56 in 2015. It was also our second highest all-dayer total ever, the spring 2016 all-dayer total of 77 species remaining Team Earlswood's best.</p><p>Everyone enjoyed it and I thoroughly did, I think particularly as we weren't able to do an all-dayer in the spring this year due to the COVID-19 restrictions. I put in about 9.5 hours of effort and some of the other team members put in several hours each too, this along with the slightly higher than usual number of participants contributed to our excellent result. Water levels at the lakes were falling but weren't particularly low on the day, with only small amounts of shoreline, and despite the pleasant weather there was still small amounts of bird movement evident.</p><p>Personal highlights for me included finding a female <b>Redstart </b>along Springbrook Lane, the first <b>Meadow Pipits</b> (5) of the autumn over Manor Farm and a <b>Green Sandpiper</b> flying over the lakes. I also saw a <b>Teal </b>on Engine Pool and a late <b>Common Whitethroat</b> in Spring Brook Scrubland. A <b>Spotted Flycatcher </b>at Springbrook Lane found by John Oates, a <b>Peregrine </b>over Windmill Pool seen by Joe Owen, and a couple of sightings of <b>Yellow Wagtail</b> (firstly by Ashley Grove) were amongst the other birds of note seen over the course of the day. Ashley also had a possible Arctic/Yellow-browed Warbler along Gypsy Lane but didn't get enough on it and it wasn't seen again unfortunately! Our most surprising omissions were Mistle Thrush and Kingfisher. Nevertheless, a great effort by the team!</p><p>Many thanks to Jon Chidwick, Ashley Grove, Yvonne Heward, Harry Hopkins, Janet James, Mike Jeeves, Peter Morgan, John Oates, Joe Owen, Tony and Barbara Philp, and John Sirrett for their participation in the field, and extra thanks to John Sirrett for collating the species recorded during the day. The full list was as follows:</p><p></p><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>Black-headed Gull</li><li>Blackbird</li><li>Blackcap</li><li>Blue Tit</li><li>Bullfinch</li><li>Buzzard</li><li>Canada Goose</li><li>Carrion Crow</li><li>Chaffinch</li><li>Chiffchaff</li><li>Coal Tit</li><li>Collared Dove</li><li>Common Tern</li><li>Coot</li><li>Cormorant</li><li>Dunnock</li><li>Feral Pigeon</li><li>Goldcrest</li><li>Goldfinch</li><li>Great Crested Grebe</li><li>Great Spotted Woodpecker</li><li>Great Tit</li><li>Green Sandpiper</li><li>Green Woodpecker</li><li>Greenfinch</li><li>Grey Heron</li><li>Grey Wagtail</li><li>Greylag Goose</li><li>Herring Gull</li><li>Hobby</li><li>House Martin</li><li>House Sparrow</li><li>Jackdaw</li><li>Jay</li><li>Kestrel</li><li>Lesser Black-backed Gull</li><li>Linnet</li><li>Long-tailed Tit</li><li>Magpie</li><li>Mallard</li><li>Marsh Tit</li><li>Meadow Pipit</li><li>Moorhen</li><li>Mute Swan</li><li>Nuthatch</li><li>Peregrine</li><li>Pheasant</li><li>Pied Wagtail</li><li>Raven</li><li>Redstart</li><li>Reed Bunting</li><li>Robin</li><li>Rook</li><li>Sand Martin</li><li>Siskin</li><li>Song Thrush</li><li>Sparrowhawk</li><li>Spotted Flycatcher</li><li>Starling</li><li>Stock Dove</li><li>Swallow</li><li>Swift</li><li>Tawny Owl</li><li>Teal</li><li>Treecreeper</li><li>Tufted Duck</li><li>Whitethroat</li><li>Willow Warbler</li><li>Woodpigeon</li><li>Wren</li><li>Yellow Wagtail</li></ol><p></p><p>Within the West Midlands as a whole, a record-breaking 32 sites participated in the all-dayer on the same day, producing another record of 140 bird species observed. Earlswood fared quite well, finishing on a higher or equal total compared with other patches that normally score higher than us, and probably coming as close to Upton Warren's total as we ever will! :D</p><p>Well done to all who took part, and thanks to Phil Andrews who has once again collated the following results:</p><div>104 - Belvide</div><div> 96 - Branston GPs</div><div> 94 - Ladywalk</div><div> 90 - Grimley</div><div> 90 - Middleton Lakes</div><div> 89 - Venus Pool</div><div> 85 - Chelmarsh</div><div> 85 - Sandwell Valley</div><div> 82 - Bittell</div><div> 82 - Chasewater</div><div> 79 - Salford Priors GPs</div><div> 76 - Alvecote Pools</div><div> 73 - Upton Warren</div><div> 71 - Dairy Farm</div><div> <b>71 - Earlswood</b></div><div> 71 - Marsh Lane</div><div> 70 - Coney Meadows</div><div> 70 - Whitemoor Haye</div><div> 69 - Doxey Marshes</div><div> 68 - Sutton Park</div><div> 63 - Draycote</div><div> 63 - Morton Bagot</div><div> 63 - Stoke patches</div><div> 60 - South Coventry</div><div> 58 - Highgate Common etc</div><div> 54 - Avon Meadows</div><div> 54 - Blithfield</div><div> 53 - Edgbaston Reservoir</div><div> 51 - Sheepwash</div><div> 49 - Plantsbrook etc</div><div> 46 - Little Aston SWT</div><div> 46 - Halesowen (2)</div><div> 42 - Halesowen (1)</div><div><br /></div><div>Further details for each patch have been posted by Phil <a href="https://www.birdforum.net/showpost.php?p=4060038&postcount=39782">here</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div>Fingers very much crossed that the spring all-dayer next year will be able to go ahead...</div><div><br /></div><div>Matt</div>Matt Griffithshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08393601887748397483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1456018406976025009.post-73170778541729876502020-03-24T16:45:00.000+00:002020-04-19T00:04:57.518+01:00Advice on Earlswood birding during the COVID-19 lock-downPosted 24/03/2020<br />
<span style="color: red;">Updated 26/03/2020</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;">Updated 18/04/2020</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;">New guidance issued by the National Police Chiefs' Council has been posted on the facebook page of Alcester Police, regarding travel for exercise. They say:</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;">"The NPCC guidance below sets out a range of 'likely' and 'unlikely' reasonable excuses. It is worth reading the statement on the first image to get a better understanding of how the excuses are to be interpreted."</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;">All three pages of guidance as follows, but those relevant to exercise/birding are on the first two:</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;">Much of the below is still applicable though, particularly in terms of risk of coming into contact with infected people at the lakes and woods during nice weather, and the need to suppress rare/scarce bird news to discourage twitches/gatherings.</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;"><b>Birders should not be driving to Earlswood to exercise during the lock-down since this involves non-essential travel. </b></span><span style="color: red;">The following is addressed to birders who live within walking distance of the areas of Earlswood they can legally exercise at.</span><br />
<br />
Hi folks,<br />
<br />
In light of the nationwide coronavirus (COVID-19) lock-down announced yesterday evening, please follow <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/full-guidance-on-staying-at-home-and-away-from-others/full-guidance-on-staying-at-home-and-away-from-others">government guidance</a> first and foremost when going about local birding. The government are still permitting people to leave their home for "one form of exercise a day" (including walking) alone or with members of their household<span style="color: red;">, exercise starting and finishing from their home</span>.<br />
<br />
A number of Earlswood birders live within the patch recording area and will still be birding from their gardens or whilst out exercising during this time. Recognising this, and following some discussion between local birders regarding patch bird news dissemination over the course of this pandemic, we would like to recommend the following:<br />
<ul>
<li><b>If you wish to post updates and photos about Earlswood birds publicly on social media, please do so only for <u>regular bird species</u> <span style="color: red;">and only <u>after nightfall</u></span>.</b> Regular birds are residents and annually-occurring visiting species which are unlikely to cause a twitch or other gathering of birders. These reports and photos provide interest and pleasure to those of us who are no longer able to visit the patch, and help us to keep in touch and feel less isolated. <span style="color: red;">Posting after nightfall will help to reduce the likelihood of birders acting upon instant news.</span></li>
<li><b>Please do not share news or photos for <u>rare/scarce bird species</u> at Earlswood publicly on social media, until the lock-down is officially over.</b> Rare/scarce birds are any species which do not occur every year, or which are annual but infrequent or particularly popular with observers, and can hang around, i.e. twitchable, such as Black Tern.</li>
<li>Exceptions to this might be posting news/photos of untwitchable rare/scarce birds, such as those flying over or in nocmig recordings on patch, on social media. For example, a repeat of the 2 White Storks that flew over last year.</li>
</ul>
<div>
<div>
The key point here is to use some common sense and consider the consequences of putting news out, to prevent non-essential travel and potential gatherings. If in doubt, please drop me an email or DM.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;">Since the start of the lock-down, there have been reports of angling, picnicking and large numbers of walkers around the lakes still during the nice weather. <b>Therefore, exercising at the lakes (and probably the woods) has a higher risk for coming into contact with infected people than other accessible areas.</b></span><b> </b></div>
<div>
<br />
Anyone exercising at the lakes or woods should also consider the following:</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>In places around the lakes and woods, it will not be possible for people to pass each other at a safe 2-metre distance apart, due to some paths being narrow and/or very muddy.</li>
<li>The wooden fishing platforms around Engine Pool are potentially useful for avoiding close contact with other people, but some of them are rotting in places and potentially unsafe to walk on.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div>
<span style="color: red;">These recommendations are open to further discussion and amendment. The situation in terms of birders using Earlswood during the lock-down will be monitored, in case there is a need for full news blackout.</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
Wishing everyone to stay safe and well.</div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Matt</div>
Matt Griffithshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08393601887748397483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1456018406976025009.post-3397531370158015512019-09-13T23:59:00.000+01:002019-09-14T00:03:13.071+01:00Earlswood all-dayer - Autumn 2019The Earlswood autumn all-day birdwatch took place earlier this month, on Saturday 7th, and the team recorded a total of 63 bird species over the course of the day. This was our joint-second highest autumn total, last year's result (when the habitat at the lakes and especially Engine Pool was excellent) being the highest to-date. Previous autumn species totals have been 69 in 2018, 63 in 2017, 57 in 2016 and 56 in 2015.<br />
<br />
Despite the fairly high water levels and scarcity of terns at the lakes so far this year, we noted <b>Oystercatcher</b>, <b>Green Sandpiper</b> and <b>Common Tern</b>, which were amongst the most notable species found, along with a fly-over <b>Yellow Wagtail</b>. Also, 13 <b>Shoveler </b>at Engine Pool was a high count for the patch, the most I'd personally seen at the lakes since 13 way back in 2008! A new element of the all-dayer this time was the use of a nocmig recorder by John Oates to detect birds calling as they fly over the area, which might otherwise be missed by observers, particularly at night-time; this picked up <b>Tawny Owl</b>, which was also reported by Yvonne in the evening, but still it was worth a try and will hopefully be used in future all-dayers!<br />
<br />
There were a few species which were likely around the patch but missed, including Pheasant, Kestrel, Kingfisher, Skylark, Mistle Thrush, Linnet and Reed Bunting. Unfortunately I had to throw in the towel mid-afternoon, as I got a bad headache; otherwise I'm sure the list would've gone up by a couple at least. ;)<br />
<br />
Many thanks to Jon Chidwick, Yvonne Heward, Janet James, Mike Jeeves, John Oates, Tony and Barbara Philp, Jenny Renowden, John Sirrett and Jim Winsper for participating. Many thanks to John Sirrett also for collating the species recorded during the day, the full list was as follows:<br />
<ol>
<li>Mute Swan</li>
<li>Greylag Goose</li>
<li>Canada Goose</li>
<li>Teal</li>
<li>Mallard</li>
<li>Shoveler</li>
<li>Tufted Duck</li>
<li>Little Grebe</li>
<li>Great Crested Grebe</li>
<li>Cormorant</li>
<li>Grey Heron</li>
<li>Sparrowhawk</li>
<li>Buzzard</li>
<li>Moorhen</li>
<li>Coot</li>
<li>Oystercatcher</li>
<li>Green Sandpiper</li>
<li>Black-headed Gull</li>
<li>Lesser Black-backed Gull</li>
<li>Herring Gull</li>
<li>Common Tern</li>
<li>Feral Pigeon</li>
<li>Stock Dove</li>
<li>Woodpigeon</li>
<li>Collared Dove</li>
<li>Tawny Owl</li>
<li>Swift</li>
<li>Green Woodpecker</li>
<li>Great Spotted Woodpecker</li>
<li>Sand Martin</li>
<li>Swallow</li>
<li>House Martin</li>
<li>Meadow Pipit</li>
<li>Yellow Wagtail</li>
<li>Grey Wagtail</li>
<li>Pied Watail</li>
<li>Wren</li>
<li>Dunnock</li>
<li>Robin</li>
<li>Blackbird</li>
<li>Song Thrush</li>
<li>Blackcap</li>
<li>Chiffchaff</li>
<li>Willow Warbler</li>
<li>Goldcrest</li>
<li>Long-tailed Tit</li>
<li>Blue Tit</li>
<li>Great Tit</li>
<li>Coal Tit</li>
<li>Marsh Tit</li>
<li>Nuthatch</li>
<li>Treecreeper</li>
<li>Jay</li>
<li>Magpie</li>
<li>Jackdaw</li>
<li>Carrion Crow</li>
<li>Raven</li>
<li>Starling</li>
<li>House Sparrow</li>
<li>Chaffinch</li>
<li>Greenfinch</li>
<li>Goldfinch</li>
<li>Bullfinch</li>
</ol>
<div>
It was very nice to have a few drinks with John Sirrett, Jim Winsper and Mike Inskip in the Red Lion at midday, and I think we should make a pub meet a regular part of future all-dayers! :)</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Within the West Midlands as a whole, a record-breaking 24 sites participated in the all-dayer on the same day, but Earlswood didn't fare so well from this perspective. Some of the patches are smaller than ours, and I can't help wondering how much better our total might be if our bits of farmland were better for wildlife (no Yellowhammer records so far this year!). Still, as they say, it's the taking part that counts! Well done to all who took part, and thanks to Phil Andrews who has collated the following results:</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
100 - Belvide Reservoir</div>
<div>
99 - Middleton Lakes</div>
<div>
95 - Branston GP</div>
<div>
92 - Ladywalk</div>
<div>
92 - Grimley</div>
<div>
88 - Sandwell Valley</div>
<div>
84 - Upton Warren</div>
<div>
81 - Chasewater</div>
<div>
77 - Bittell Reservoirs</div>
<div>
74 - Brandon Marsh</div>
<div>
74 - Dairy Farm NR</div>
<div>
73 - Marsh Lane</div>
<div>
72 - Venus Pool</div>
<div>
70 - Salford Priors GP</div>
<div>
69 - Alvecote Pools</div>
<div>
69 - Sutton Park</div>
<div>
66 - Doxey Marsh</div>
<div>
65 - Elmdon Park</div>
<div>
64 - Shustoke Reservoir</div>
<div>
64 - Morton Bagot</div>
<div>
<b>63 - Earlswood</b></div>
<div>
63 - Whitemoor Haye</div>
<div>
60 - Saltwells / Fens Pool</div>
<div>
55 - Draycote Water</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Till next year...</div>
Matt Griffithshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08393601887748397483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1456018406976025009.post-71507806535265310632019-05-05T22:49:00.002+01:002019-05-07T00:14:42.707+01:00Earlswood all-dayer - Spring 2019A total of 64 bird species were recorded at Earlswood during the West Midlands spring all-day birdwatch yesterday. When putting this into context with our previous spring all-dayer totals, it's interesting to note that, with one exception, we seem to have a tendency to record a very similar number of 64-65 species each year! Previous totals as follows:<br />
2018 - 64 spp.<br />
2017 - 65 spp.<br />
2016 - 77 spp.<br />
2015 - 65 spp.<br />
<br />
The weather conditions yesterday weren't great for migration at this time of year really, with a cool northerly wind, and apart from good numbers of hirundines at the lakes there appeared to be few other new arrivals. The most notable birds reported were <b>Lesser Whitethroat</b>, <b>Cuckoo</b>, <b>Raven</b>, <b>Skylark </b>and <b>Common Sandpiper</b>. All of the resident species were recorded, but amongst the visitors that weren't, Common Tern was the most surprising. The full bird list in alphabetical order was as follows:<br />
<br />
<ol>
<li>Black-headed Gull</li>
<li>Blackbird</li>
<li>Blackcap</li>
<li>Blue Tit</li>
<li>Bullfinch</li>
<li>Buzzard</li>
<li>Canada Goose</li>
<li>Carrion Crow</li>
<li>Chaffinch</li>
<li>Chiffchaff</li>
<li>Coal Tit</li>
<li>Collared Dove</li>
<li>Common Sandpiper</li>
<li>Coot</li>
<li>Cuckoo</li>
<li>Dunnock</li>
<li>Feral Pigeon</li>
<li>Goldcrest</li>
<li>Goldfinch</li>
<li>Great Crested Grebe</li>
<li>Great Spotted Woodpecker</li>
<li>Great Tit</li>
<li>Green Woodpecker</li>
<li>Greenfinch</li>
<li>Grey Heron</li>
<li>Grey Wagtail</li>
<li>Greylag Goose</li>
<li>Herring Gull</li>
<li>House Martin</li>
<li>House Sparrow</li>
<li>Jackdaw</li>
<li>Jay</li>
<li>Kestrel</li>
<li>Lesser Black-backed Gull</li>
<li>Lesser Whitethroat</li>
<li>Linnet</li>
<li>Long-tailed Tit</li>
<li>Magpie</li>
<li>Mallard</li>
<li>Marsh Tit</li>
<li>Mistle Thrush</li>
<li>Moorhen</li>
<li>Mute Swan</li>
<li>Nuthatch</li>
<li>Pheasant</li>
<li>Pied Wagtail</li>
<li>Raven</li>
<li>Reed Bunting</li>
<li>Robin</li>
<li>Sand Martin</li>
<li>Skylark</li>
<li>Song Thrush</li>
<li>Sparrowhawk</li>
<li>Starling</li>
<li>Stock Dove</li>
<li>Swallow</li>
<li>Swift</li>
<li>Tawny Owl</li>
<li>Treecreeper</li>
<li>Tufted Duck</li>
<li>Whitethroat</li>
<li>Willow Warbler</li>
<li>Woodpigeon</li>
<li>Wren</li>
</ol>
<br />
<br />
Three of the team including myself went for drinks at the Red Lion, and I wonder if others might be interested in doing this at a local pub in future all-dayers? For me as a lightweight, a couple of pints meant that birding for a couple of hours afterwards was, erm, interesting but at least now I know Rosie's Pig and Doom Bar taste good! 😁 Here's a few members of Team Earlswood at the causeway!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yKG2cHIYAd0/XM9QLefg8YI/AAAAAAAACiM/mk1hIAtTpwoAJlUwF21o1_DGaijFR7pCQCLcBGAs/s1600/20190504_104218.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yKG2cHIYAd0/XM9QLefg8YI/AAAAAAAACiM/mk1hIAtTpwoAJlUwF21o1_DGaijFR7pCQCLcBGAs/s320/20190504_104218.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Left to right: John B, Janet, Jim, John S, Jon C</td></tr>
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<br />
Earlswood came 15th out of a record total of 23 sites across the midlands that participated, which was pretty good considering most of the patches with better scores are managed nature reserves or gravel pits. Sites and species totals for the day as follows:<br />
1. Ladywalk - 102<br />
2. Middleton Lakes - 97<br />
3. Branston GP - 91<br />
4. Brandon Marsh - 90<br />
=5. Belvide - 89<br />
=5. Grimley - 89<br />
=7. Upton Warren - 84<br />
=7. Chasewater - 84<br />
=7. Salford Priors GP - 84<br />
=7. Sandwell Valley - 84<br />
11. Marsh Lane - 82<br />
12. Doxey Marsh - 70<br />
13. Venus Pool - 69<br />
14. Dairy Farm NR - 65<br />
15. <b>Earlswood - 64</b><br />
16. Morton Bagot - 63<br />
17. Elmdon Park - 60<br />
18. Avon Meadows - 58<br />
19. Halesowen patches - 57<br />
20. Edgbaston Res - 55<br />
21. Sutton Park - 51<br />
22. Fens Pool / Saltwells - 50<br />
23. Trittiford - 47<br />
<br />
My thanks to John Sirrett for collating the bird species reported at Earlswood over the course of the day, to Phil Andrews for collating the site totals for the all-dayer overall, and to the following 11 birders who made up the rest of Team Earlswood this spring: John Bishop, Jon Chidwick, Barry Durman, Paul Fitzgerald, Yvonne Heward, Janet James, Mike Jeeves, John Oates, Joe Owen, John Sirrett and Jim Winsper. The next all-dayer in the autumn will probably be in early September.Matt Griffithshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08393601887748397483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1456018406976025009.post-15151480107516339722019-01-06T21:38:00.000+00:002019-01-06T21:38:55.531+00:00Earlswood all-dayer - New Year's Day 2019For the first time ever, some midlands patches including Earlswood competed in a winter all-day birdwatch on New Year's Day this year, like those we've been doing each spring and autumn in recent years. The results with species totals were as follows:<br />
<br />
<ol>
<li>Belvide - 77</li>
<li>Middleton Lakes - 76</li>
<li>Sandwell Valley - 74</li>
<li>Upton Warren - 70</li>
<li>Doxey Marshes - 66</li>
<li>Whitemoor Haye - 61</li>
<li>Morton Bagot - 58</li>
<li><b>Earlswood - 56</b></li>
</ol>
<br />
So we came last, but with a superb adult male Common Scoter being found at Engine Pool, who can complain?! A great start for hopefully another productive year. Earlswood day list with initials for single-observer records and scoter as follows:<br />
<ol>
<li>Mute Swan</li>
<li>Greylag Goose</li>
<li>Canada Goose</li>
<li>Mallard</li>
<li>Shoveler</li>
<li>Tufted Duck</li>
<li>Common Scoter (JM et al.)</li>
<li>Goldeneye (JJ)</li>
<li>Goosander</li>
<li>Little Grebe (JK)</li>
<li>Great Crested Grebe</li>
<li>Cormorant</li>
<li>Grey Heron</li>
<li>Sparrowhawk (JOw)</li>
<li>Kestrel (JD)</li>
<li>Moorhen</li>
<li>Coot</li>
<li>Golden Plover (JHS)</li>
<li>Common Snipe (TRP)</li>
<li>Black-headed Gull</li>
<li>Lesser Black-backed Gull</li>
<li>Herring Gull</li>
<li>Feral Pigeon (TRP)</li>
<li>Stock Dove (MPG)</li>
<li>Woodpigeon</li>
<li>Collared Dove</li>
<li>Tawny Owl (MPG)</li>
<li>Green Woodpecker (JJ)</li>
<li>Great Spotted Woodpecker</li>
<li>Grey Wagtail</li>
<li>Pied Wagtail</li>
<li>Wren</li>
<li>Dunnock</li>
<li>Robin</li>
<li>Blackbird</li>
<li>Fieldfare</li>
<li>Redwing</li>
<li>Song Thrush</li>
<li>Mistle Thrush (JJ)</li>
<li>Long-tailed Tit</li>
<li>Blue Tit</li>
<li>Great Tit</li>
<li>Coal Tit</li>
<li>Marsh Tit</li>
<li>Nuthatch</li>
<li>Treecreeper</li>
<li>Jay</li>
<li>Magpie</li>
<li>Jackdaw</li>
<li>Carrion Crow</li>
<li>Raven</li>
<li>Starling</li>
<li>House Sparrow</li>
<li>Chaffinch</li>
<li>Goldfinch </li>
<li>Bullfinch (JJ)</li>
</ol>
Thanks to John Bishop, Jon Chidwick, Judy Donath, Harry Hopkins, Janet James, James Kenny, Joe Martin, Joe Owen, John Sirrett, Rob Strong, Tony and Barbara Philp for their reports and/or offering to fill in gaps in the list. Rematch in the spring!Matt Griffithshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08393601887748397483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1456018406976025009.post-15898177488155463832018-11-04T21:01:00.001+00:002018-11-04T21:01:54.453+00:00Proposal to close Braggs Farm Lane to trafficSolihull council have proposed to close Braggs Farm Lane to traffic by installing a gate in the middle of its length. Further info is in the screenshots below, kindly forwarded to me by John Sirrett.<br />
<br />
I must admit I rarely drive along the road, and the reduced number of vehicles using it could benefit wildlife and make it more pleasant to walk along. However, in case any readers were unaware of this proposal and would like to comment to the council about it, I thought I'd post the information here. Consultation ends on Friday this week.<br />
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<br />Matt Griffithshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08393601887748397483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1456018406976025009.post-69130747322025706082018-10-14T19:00:00.000+01:002018-10-14T18:59:08.790+01:00TwitterFor the latest Earlswood bird news, please visit <a href="http://www.twitter.com/earlswoodbirds">www.twitter.com/earlswoodbirds</a><br />
<br />
N.B. You don't have to join Twitter to view updates.Matt Griffithshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08393601887748397483noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1456018406976025009.post-76250692508065233122018-10-11T23:59:00.000+01:002018-10-12T01:18:15.196+01:00A personal review of 2016, 2017 & the past eleven years<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
A really long one, sorry - it's been in the pipeline a while and built up!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<b><u>Birds of Earlswood 2016</u></b></div>
<br />
2016 was pretty good, the grand total of 128 species recorded being similar to 2015. Two species were patch-firsts, namely 2 <b>Black Redstarts</b> in private horse pastures at Manor Farm from April 8th-9th (MPG <i>et al</i>.) and an <b>Egyptian Goose</b> at Mereside Pools on December 24th (T.R. Philp). A stunning summer-plumaged <b>Black-necked Grebe</b> at Engine Pool from June 6th-7th (MPG <i>et al</i>.) was perhaps the bird of the year though, as it was also the first record at the lakes since 1955, it showed reasonably well and lots of people got to see it. A <b>Firecrest </b>in Little Clowes Wood from December 30th (J. Asbury <i>et al</i>.) was another highlight which I was fortunate to see. On the downside I missed four species which otherwise would've been personal patch ticks: a <b>Pied Flycatcher</b> at Terry's Pool on April 26th (M.J. Inskip <i>et al</i>.) and a <b>Scaup</b> at Windmill Pool on July 5th (J. Oates <i>et al</i>.) were both twitchable if only I hadn't been working during the afternoons they were discovered, whilst an <b>Osprey</b> flying over the Norton Lane area on August 31st (J. Oates) and the <b>Egyptian Goose</b> both didn't stay long.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zO8bt3YofDA/WlkkW1v2clI/AAAAAAAAAfY/UKYDMQupnFkxOjyhCEzuNZKx8hHj0lqTwCLcBGAs/s1600/Black-necked%2BGrebe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zO8bt3YofDA/WlkkW1v2clI/AAAAAAAAAfY/UKYDMQupnFkxOjyhCEzuNZKx8hHj0lqTwCLcBGAs/s320/Black-necked%2BGrebe.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Black-necked Grebe</b> (John Oates)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Fk49Or7lY1U/WlkkNgw3b5I/AAAAAAAAAfU/uWC-urgGt0Q2gIEvF8pE3pZEjZBxuKHIwCLcBGAs/s1600/Black%2BRedstarts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="484" data-original-width="1173" height="131" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Fk49Or7lY1U/WlkkNgw3b5I/AAAAAAAAAfU/uWC-urgGt0Q2gIEvF8pE3pZEjZBxuKHIwCLcBGAs/s320/Black%2BRedstarts.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Black Redstarts</b>, first-winter male on left (Matt Griffiths)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cUN2LcJI3mo/Wlkl3AJScUI/AAAAAAAAAfo/GAOkDQ8FI1IV7DWQkd-_bjlbu0U0V9ThwCLcBGAs/s1600/Firecrest-JA.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="298" data-original-width="480" height="198" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cUN2LcJI3mo/Wlkl3AJScUI/AAAAAAAAAfo/GAOkDQ8FI1IV7DWQkd-_bjlbu0U0V9ThwCLcBGAs/s320/Firecrest-JA.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Firecrest </b>(Jon Asbury)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ALdkGtbJcSE/WlkkeeFlYmI/AAAAAAAAAfc/i0CyCCgQ7ysTIioC7v5JMlINRIUZm5p6ACLcBGAs/s1600/Egyptian%2BGoose.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="734" data-original-width="1038" height="226" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ALdkGtbJcSE/WlkkeeFlYmI/AAAAAAAAAfc/i0CyCCgQ7ysTIioC7v5JMlINRIUZm5p6ACLcBGAs/s320/Egyptian%2BGoose.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Egyptian Goose</b> (Tony Philp)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><u>Birds of Earlswood </u></b><b><u>2017</u></b></div>
<br />
So on to 2017, it looks like we finished on 126 species, which is very slightly below average for Earlswood. Nevertheless there were several highlights:<br />
<ul>
<li><b>Great White Egret:</b> our star bird of the year, a first for Earlswood and presumably the same individual was involved on each of the three occasions it was seen, but sadly only two observers got it. It flew over Windmill Pool on October 18th (MPG), then over Engine Pool on October 31st and November 22nd (J. Oates). It was extra special for me as it was an outright lifer and also my 160th bird species for the patch!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--TEkBzLOh9c/WlkpeT8sj5I/AAAAAAAAAf0/ojTFaewHE-Aw2phXD_LBtaOvz1G87-SZwCLcBGAs/s1600/GWE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--TEkBzLOh9c/WlkpeT8sj5I/AAAAAAAAAf0/ojTFaewHE-Aw2phXD_LBtaOvz1G87-SZwCLcBGAs/s320/GWE.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Great White Egret</b> (John Oates)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</li>
<li><b>Common Scoter:</b> for a species that was last seen at the lakes in 1996, it was very surprising that there was not one but two records this year! Five males were at Engine Pool on June 29th (J. Oates <i>et al</i>.), and two males with four females were also at Engine Pool on August 21st (M.R. Jeeves <i>et al</i>.). I was immensely relieved to see the August flock after missing the June one - many thanks Mike!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JUmyL5L-yVo/WlkrfXvc6dI/AAAAAAAAAgA/TroyIhlyzwYHYnMWOGO1bB3FaKuyNjq6wCLcBGAs/s1600/Common%2BScoter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JUmyL5L-yVo/WlkrfXvc6dI/AAAAAAAAAgA/TroyIhlyzwYHYnMWOGO1bB3FaKuyNjq6wCLcBGAs/s320/Common%2BScoter.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Common Scoters</b> - June flock (John Oates)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</li>
<li><b>Osprey:</b> a satellite-tagged male called "Number 14" flew over the lakes on April 13th (MPG, T.R. Philp, P.C. Stainton). He had been at the island of Bioko, Equatorial Guinea for most of the 2016-17 winter, started migrating north on March 23rd, and visited Welford-on-Avon (Warks) on the evening of April 12th and the River Dove at Marchington (Staffs) on the morning of April 14th. He then spent the summer in the Lake District - details from <a href="http://www.ospreywatch.co.uk/wordpress/">Ospreywatch</a>. I'd anticipated seeing this species at Earlswood for some years, so it was great to finally find one, and I've enjoyed reading about his past and subsequent movements.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-410OOQ-RZIk/Wlkudhtk-nI/AAAAAAAAAgM/bZdwW_lwfCsPktyQ1ddWoi1r0TqR4brGwCLcBGAs/s1600/Osprey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="562" data-original-width="431" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-410OOQ-RZIk/Wlkudhtk-nI/AAAAAAAAAgM/bZdwW_lwfCsPktyQ1ddWoi1r0TqR4brGwCLcBGAs/s320/Osprey.jpg" width="245" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Osprey </b>(Tony Philp)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</li>
<li><b>Firecrest:</b> the bird from 2016 stayed in the woods to at least March 8th (several observers), and was seen with a second bird on February 11th (J. Asbury). A third bird visited Terry's Pool on October 17th (J. Oates).<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OB-XxDxI9LI/WlkvDNExHaI/AAAAAAAAAgU/AWIf_pW3VAw9F-DJkf6jLPNxyNGsPLdWQCLcBGAs/s1600/Firecrest-JO.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OB-XxDxI9LI/WlkvDNExHaI/AAAAAAAAAgU/AWIf_pW3VAw9F-DJkf6jLPNxyNGsPLdWQCLcBGAs/s320/Firecrest-JO.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Firecrest </b>in October (John Oates)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</li>
<li><b>Barn Owl:</b> one hunting at a private marsh near the lakes on November 15th and 17th (MPG, P. Fitzgerald) was my first at Earlswood since 2010, and followed a sighting of probably the same bird near Shutt Lane about three weeks earlier.</li>
<li><b>Hawfinch:</b> nationally 2017 will surely be remembered as the year of the great Hawfinch influx, and thankfully Earlswood didn't go without. A flock of six over Windmill Pool and a single over Spring Brook Scrubland on October 20th (MPG) were the first, followed by three over Terry's Green on 23rd (MPG), a single over Spring Brook Scrubland on 30th (MPG), a single over Springbrook Lane on November 1st (J.H. Sirrett), two perched in trees at Earlswood Moathouse NR on 4th (J. Oates), calls heard over Terry's Pool lagoon on December 11th (MPG), and a bird perched in trees near Windmill Pool from 26th-27th (MPG). Whether some of these records involved the same individual birds loitering around the wider area is open to debate, but they are always special to see, even though most were brief fly-overs.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TOG0E8oo7TU/Wlkvc1i20hI/AAAAAAAAAgY/ScPwxrBvUtMXuQtawcBfzYDpDKkSCGSFQCLcBGAs/s1600/Hawfinch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TOG0E8oo7TU/Wlkvc1i20hI/AAAAAAAAAgY/ScPwxrBvUtMXuQtawcBfzYDpDKkSCGSFQCLcBGAs/s320/Hawfinch.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Hawfinch </b>(John Oates)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</li>
</ul>
I ended on 114 species at Earlswood for 2017, my lowest patch total since 2010, sadly due to putting even less birding time in compared to previous years. Embarrassingly I failed to get <b>Garden Warbler</b> and <b>Rook</b>, but on the flip side it was great to add <b>Osprey</b>, <b>Common Scoter</b> and <b>Great White Egret </b>to my patch life list. Outside of Earlswood, the year was an important one for me as I finally managed to get into my desired career - in April I got a new job as a seasonal ecologist, which is just brilliant being paid to do work I enjoy!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><u>10 years of birding at Earlswood</u></b></div>
<br />
October 5th 2017 marked my 10th anniversary of serious patch-birding. I'd done a little birding at Earlswood during my teenage years, but it was only after my first ever twitch going to see a <b>Grey Phalarope</b> at Windmill Pool on October 5th 2007 that I truly became hooked and fell in love with Earlswood. The last 10 years have mostly been the best years of my life and it has all been thanks to finding purpose and enjoyment at my beloved patch.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IJy6GMdXYTU/W6wqpmO2IbI/AAAAAAAABc8/LwcliGJ2lTs1FIyQr-eDtDcm3gQitB_jACLcBGAs/s1600/Grey%2BPhalarope%252C%2Bpic11%2B%252707.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="745" data-original-width="960" height="248" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IJy6GMdXYTU/W6wqpmO2IbI/AAAAAAAABc8/LwcliGJ2lTs1FIyQr-eDtDcm3gQitB_jACLcBGAs/s320/Grey%2BPhalarope%252C%2Bpic11%2B%252707.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Grey Phalarope</b> (Vince Garvey)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
There have been so many personal birding highlights for me over this time, but co-finding the <b>Night Heron</b> and watching it over the two weeks it hung around would have to be my all-time favourite, closely followed by twitching that life-changing phalarope. Finding scarce birds on patch is always a thrill, and for me included six more firsts for Earlswood: a <b>Yellow-browed Warbler</b> (2nd county record!), <b>Cetti's Warbler</b>, the two <b>Black Redstarts</b>, a <b>Short-eared Owl</b>, <b>Avocet</b>, the <b>Great White Egret</b> and a flock of six <b>Whooper Swans</b>!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tKrzvkvE90A/W6wpVSyndcI/AAAAAAAABcw/jGJr3LuxqL4P98ric5HvVrwjKYX90o5dQCLcBGAs/s1600/Night%2BHeron%2BDHu.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="829" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tKrzvkvE90A/W6wpVSyndcI/AAAAAAAABcw/jGJr3LuxqL4P98ric5HvVrwjKYX90o5dQCLcBGAs/s320/Night%2BHeron%2BDHu.jpg" width="294" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Night Heron</b> (Dave Hutton)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DGLiDozTb4Q/W6wsnP3XwHI/AAAAAAAABdI/xUWC4BhRU4skMXmFeFuiJC9G6xx85JrxACLcBGAs/s1600/20170516_170620.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DGLiDozTb4Q/W6wsnP3XwHI/AAAAAAAABdI/xUWC4BhRU4skMXmFeFuiJC9G6xx85JrxACLcBGAs/s320/20170516_170620.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Yellow-browed Warbler</b> plumage notes (Matt Griffiths)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Other finds that particularly stand out in my memory are the <b>Black-necked Grebe</b>, the <b>Osprey</b>, an eclipse male <b>Garganey</b>, redhead <b>Smew</b>, the last two records to-date of <b>Ruddy Duck</b>, two fly-over flocks of <b>Bar-tailed Godwits</b>, a summer-plumaged <b>Turnstone </b>found very early one morning, a <b>Little Tern</b> during very heavy rain, a flock of three <b>Sandwich Terns</b>, single <b>Kittiwakes</b> on five occasions, a fly-over <b>Waxwing </b>clearly very lost, two single <b>Ring Ouzels</b>, two single <b>Wood Warblers</b> both singing their amazing song, four single <b>Firecrests</b>, four flocks of fly-over <b>Crossbills </b>all in the same year, and a <b>Hawfinch </b>in 2015 which flew over the lakes and out of sight only to be relocated in a yew tree thanks to my local knowledge and a bit of a sprint! On the downside, I've dipped quite a few notables, probably the biggest miss being a <b>Hoopoe </b>at Manor Farm, but no species that would require a great miracle for one to occur at Earlswood again!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LmYe0QMBwQ8/W6wnu8lne3I/AAAAAAAABck/9cEmJblIZ2U6dGbh7BM52Bjlw_ofnuMswCLcBGAs/s1600/Hoopoe%2BRGr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="502" data-original-width="800" height="200" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LmYe0QMBwQ8/W6wnu8lne3I/AAAAAAAABck/9cEmJblIZ2U6dGbh7BM52Bjlw_ofnuMswCLcBGAs/s320/Hoopoe%2BRGr.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Hoopoe </b>(Rich Greer)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Patch-birding has brought me into contact with many wonderful people, birders and non-birders alike, and I've struck up friendships and acquaintanceships as a result. It's been a massive help for me in dealing with social anxiety issues I have. My enquiry about putting a tern raft on Terry's Pool led to the formation of the Earlswood Wildlife Partnership, a group which has done much good work for local wildlife since. I credit one of its committee members, ecologist Paul Wilkinson, in playing a major part of increasing my interest and experience in surveying bats, reptiles and amphibians, through the surveys and walks he organises and by bringing me into contact with other wildlife enthusiasts. He and several birders, but especially Paul Fitzgerald, and in years gone by Jon Yardley and Jon Bowley, have encouraged me to venture outside the patch boundaries to visit new areas, providing me with valuable new wildlife experiences and personal development that I can apply to Earlswood, my current job and life in general. Three more wildlife people have been really good friends and mentors: Charlene Jones, John Oates and Manda Tomkins. At risk of missing someone out, I'd also like to give special mention to Jon Asbury, Kevin Bates, John Bishop, Jon Chidwick, Rich Greer, Yvonne Heward, Ron Hill, John Hunt, Mike Inskip, Janet James, Mike Jeeves, Martin Lindop, Steve Lloyd, Donna Mallon, Tony and Barbara Philp, Craig Reed, Jenny Renowden, Bob and Cheryl Roberts, John Sirrett, Phil Stainton and Jim Winsper for their good company whilst at Earlswood, even if only on brief occasions or no longer visiting 😊 I'm truly grateful to all birders, ecologists and other wildlife people who I've had positive interactions with on patch and in the wider midlands area, even if I don't always seem to appreciate the company, from brief chats and offers of help to some bigger things, and I'm sorry I can't mention everyone else who've been positive!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ebqQNITczu4/W6wwzrUIrKI/AAAAAAAABdY/MgTdNWKOFCQrbzaS02LpbhdcHeATRm7TgCLcBGAs/s1600/Earlswood%2Bbirders.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="495" data-original-width="876" height="180" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ebqQNITczu4/W6wwzrUIrKI/AAAAAAAABdY/MgTdNWKOFCQrbzaS02LpbhdcHeATRm7TgCLcBGAs/s320/Earlswood%2Bbirders.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just a few of you - lots more I need for the photo collection! ;-)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
---</div>
<br />
Most of the above I wrote earlier this year back in January and now, 9 months on, I've just completed 11 years on patch and it will soon be time to review 2018! All very late I know - time just whizzes by! There has been a significant change in my life this month and it was World Mental Health Day yesterday, so it seems appropriate to publish this reflective post now rather than later. Part of the next bit I was of two minds whether to include or not as I'm not sure how people will take it but feel it has been a significant part of my patch-birding experience, even if not all positive.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><u>Recent and future changes in my patch-birding</u></b></div>
<br />
A few people have commented on the reduced amount of time I've been spending at Earlswood in the last few years. My usual explanation that I've been busy with uni and work is true, but there have been other reasons.<br />
<br />
Firstly, Earlswood gets a lot more coverage by birders these days than it used to, and sometimes I feel less compelled to visit the patch when I know it's been checked already, especially if I have other pressing tasks to do. Having said that though, the increased presence of other birders is great for bird-recording and rare birds being found, and I'm very happy to share the patch with others, and thankful to those who share their finds so that other people can twitch them.<br />
<br />
Secondly, in 2015 I met someone at the lakes who for the first time in my life I felt a special connection with. The lovesickness that later followed was the worst kind of emotional pain and depression I've ever experienced and sometimes made me feel too demotivated to go out, I suffered mostly in secret and when I visited the lakes sometimes they seemed to only serve to remind me of her. Some days I just had to give Earlswood a miss and it was easier when I knew other birders had been around already. It took me until about the second half of last year to come to terms with the experience as best as possible, but I got there in the end! I should perhaps add that I don't regret meeting her, and her success in being in her chosen career was inspirational and helped motivate me into returning to uni later that year, to help me achieve similar, although doing a masters during a poor phase in my mental health has been very tough.<br />
<br />
I haven't fully finished my masters yet but I think it's played a key part in helping me get into my chosen career. This month I made further career progress by becoming a permanent full-time graduate ecologist! If all goes well it will mean I've achieved one of my life ambitions, and I can start working towards two of my others. Once I finish uni, I have a list of other things I'd like to do, amongst them cracking on with writing my book and seeing some new places around the UK. To be honest, Earlswood alone is no longer enough to make me happy. Unfortunately all this means I'll have less time for patch-birding, but I'm certainly not giving it up and there will be even more scope for other birders to make good finds!<br />
<br />
I'm not sure if anyone will have managed to read this far! 😆 As always, many thanks to everyone who has tweeted, emailed, texted or phoned their wildlife sightings to me. All the very best x<br />
<br />
MattMatt Griffithshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08393601887748397483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1456018406976025009.post-5369449755320154902018-09-09T14:34:00.000+01:002018-09-09T14:41:14.394+01:00Earlswood all-dayer - Autumn 2018A total of 69 bird species were recorded during the Earlswood all-day birdwatch yesterday, our best autumn total to-date (<i>cf</i>. 63 in 2017, 57 in 2016, 56 in 2015). Engine Pool currently having probably the best waterbird habitat on patch in living memory helped - a combination of muddy shores, algae blooms and almost no big fish in the water meaning lots of food available.<br />
<br />
Many thanks to John Bishop, Jon Chidwick, Janet James, Mike Jeeves, John Oates, Joe Owen, John Sirrett and Jim Winsper for taking part, especially as it rained for a large portion of the day and there is little shelter. Also many thanks to John Sirrett for collating most of the species recorded during the day, the full list in alphabetical order is as follows:<br />
<br />
<ol>
<li>Black-headed Gull</li>
<li>Blackbird</li>
<li>Blackcap</li>
<li>Blue Tit</li>
<li>Bullfinch</li>
<li>Buzzard</li>
<li>Canada Goose</li>
<li>Carrion Crow</li>
<li>Chaffinch </li>
<li>Chiffchaff </li>
<li>Coal Tit</li>
<li>Collared Dove</li>
<li>Common Sandpiper</li>
<li>Coot</li>
<li>Cormorant</li>
<li>Dunlin</li>
<li>Dunnock</li>
<li>Feral Pigeon</li>
<li>Gadwall</li>
<li>Goldcrest</li>
<li>Goldfinch</li>
<li>Great Crested Grebe</li>
<li>Great Spotted Woodpecker</li>
<li>Great Tit</li>
<li>Green Woodpecker</li>
<li>Greenfinch</li>
<li>Grey Heron</li>
<li>Grey Wagtail</li>
<li>Greylag Goose</li>
<li>Herring Gull</li>
<li>Hobby</li>
<li>House Martin</li>
<li>House Sparrow</li>
<li>Jackdaw</li>
<li>Jay</li>
<li>Lesser Black-backed Gull</li>
<li>Linnet</li>
<li>Little Grebe</li>
<li>Little Egret</li>
<li>Long-tailed Tit</li>
<li>Magpie</li>
<li>Mallard</li>
<li>Meadow Pipit</li>
<li>Mistle Thrush</li>
<li>Moorhen</li>
<li>Mute Swan</li>
<li>Nuthatch</li>
<li>Pied Wagtail</li>
<li>Raven</li>
<li>Reed Warbler</li>
<li>Ringed Plover</li>
<li>Robin</li>
<li>Sand Martin</li>
<li>Shoveler</li>
<li>Skylark</li>
<li>Song Thrush</li>
<li>Snipe</li>
<li>Sparrowhawk</li>
<li>Starling</li>
<li>Stock Dove</li>
<li>Swallow</li>
<li>Teal</li>
<li>Treecreeper</li>
<li>Tufted Duck</li>
<li>Willow Warbler</li>
<li>Woodpigeon</li>
<li>Wren</li>
<li>Yellow-legged Gull</li>
<li>Yellow Wagtail</li>
</ol>
Matt Griffithshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08393601887748397483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1456018406976025009.post-27491713845064896872018-05-06T18:32:00.000+01:002018-05-06T18:32:27.617+01:00Earlswood all-dayer - Spring 2018Team Earlswood recorded a total of 64 bird species on patch yesterday. It was a sunny, hot day with little cloud or wind, and lots of human disturbance in the usual areas, so certainly not an ideal day for picking up migrants. Highlights included our first <b>Whinchat </b>and <b>Yellowhammer </b>of the year, whilst 4 male <b>Reed Bunting</b> was a good count.<br />
<br />
Some common species were notable by their absence, but 64 is actually not our worst total: previous spring all-dayers at Earlswood have finished on 56 species in 2015, 77 species in 2016 and 65 species last year. Many thanks to John Bishop, Chris Charles, Jon Chidwick, Janet James, John Oates, Joe Owen, John Sirrett and Jim Winsper for their contributions. Also many thanks to John Sirrett for putting together the following list of species recorded, in alphabetical order:<br />
<br />
<ol>
<li>Black-headed Gull</li>
<li>Blackbird</li>
<li>Blackcap</li>
<li>Blue Tit</li>
<li>Bullfinch</li>
<li>Buzzard</li>
<li>Canada Goose</li>
<li>Carrion Crow</li>
<li>Chaffinch</li>
<li>Chiffchaff</li>
<li>Coal Tit</li>
<li>Collared Dove</li>
<li>Coot</li>
<li>Cormorant</li>
<li>Cuckoo</li>
<li>Dunnock</li>
<li>Feral Pigeon</li>
<li>Goldcrest</li>
<li>Goldfinch</li>
<li>Great Crested Grebe</li>
<li>Great Spotted Woodpecker</li>
<li>Great Tit</li>
<li>Green Woodpecker</li>
<li>Greenfinch</li>
<li>Grey Heron</li>
<li>Greylag Goose</li>
<li>Herring Gull</li>
<li>House Sparrow</li>
<li>Jackdaw</li>
<li>Jay</li>
<li>Kestrel</li>
<li>Lesser Black-backed Gull</li>
<li>Lesser Whitethroat</li>
<li>Linnet</li>
<li>Long-tailed Tit</li>
<li>Magpie</li>
<li>Mallard</li>
<li>Marsh Tit</li>
<li>Mistle Thrush</li>
<li>Moorhen</li>
<li>Mute Swan</li>
<li>Nuthatch</li>
<li>Pheasant</li>
<li>Pied Wagtail</li>
<li>Reed Bunting</li>
<li>Robin</li>
<li>Rook</li>
<li>Sand Martin</li>
<li>Song Thrush</li>
<li>Sparrowhawk</li>
<li>Starling</li>
<li>Stock Dove</li>
<li>Swallow</li>
<li>Tawny Owl</li>
<li>Treecreeper</li>
<li>Tufted Duck</li>
<li>Wheatear</li>
<li>Whinchat</li>
<li>Whitethroat</li>
<li>Willow Warbler</li>
<li>Woodpigeon</li>
<li>Wren</li>
<li>Yellowhammer</li>
<li>Yellow Wagtail</li>
</ol>
Matt Griffithshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08393601887748397483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1456018406976025009.post-15039806335740315592017-12-31T21:21:00.000+00:002017-12-31T21:21:29.818+00:00Earlswood amphibian & reptile survey, 2016-2017At a site in Earlswood last year, I saw a female Great Crested Newt (GCN) in a pond partially covered in ice on February 24th - a very pleasant surprise given how early it was in the year and also because the species appeared to have not been recorded at Earlswood since the 1980s! I was interested in finding out how many GCNs might be using the site, so later in the spring during sunny weather I returned and found two males and four egg-laying females at a different pond but within the same site. There was also at least 32 Smooth Newts at the two ponds on that occasion too, which was impressive! Hoping more GCNs might be present, an evening torch survey was undertaken with assistance from Warwickshire Amphibian and Reptile Team (WART) member Louise Sherwell, but only two males and a female were found.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--99J_GjtRbs/WklR9eCZFqI/AAAAAAAAAe0/CxmF_CWOWpIiDqWsNik2ywcgkpc6f4lxQCLcBGAs/s1600/CimPbNgWkAEW5co.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--99J_GjtRbs/WklR9eCZFqI/AAAAAAAAAe0/CxmF_CWOWpIiDqWsNik2ywcgkpc6f4lxQCLcBGAs/s320/CimPbNgWkAEW5co.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Smooth Newt and Great Crested Newt (John Oates)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
This year, the second pond was covered with duckweed for much of the spring making observation difficult but on May 26th, with the help of Agni Arampoglou and Vicky Philpott of WART, another evening torch survey was carried out and single male GCNs were seen in both ponds at the site - a low number probably because it was late in the egg-laying season for this species. It seems that only a very small population may be present, making them vulnerable, but fortunately the site is managed specifically for wildlife.<br />
<br />
Ponds at Clowes Wood meadow and a private farm were also surveyed this year, and although no GCNs were found at these, both held Smooth Newts and my observations elsewhere at Earlswood indicate that "Smoothies" are common and widespread in the area. Most methods of surveying for GCNs require a licence from Natural England, and I am grateful to Louise, Agni and Vicky who are all licence-holders for their help during the last two springs. I hope to get a licence for myself next year, which will hopefully make it easier to arrange surveys with local landowners and potentially allow other ponds supporting GCNs to be detected. If any local landowners have ponds that would be suitable for surveying, please get in touch.<br />
<br />
Agni, Vicky and Tony Philp also helped me set up a reptile survey at a private site next to the lakes, using 11 sheets of corrugated roofing material supplied by Earlswood Wildlife Partnership, which I then monitored during the summer. A Smooth Newt was found basking on top of one sheet, and a young Toad was resting under another, but sadly no reptiles were found. The hope is that Slow Worms might be present as the habitat looks suitable for them, and although the sheets have now been brought indoors for the winter, the survey will recommence next year.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bU8kKsVqKcw/WklS1DLoSmI/AAAAAAAAAfA/Vi8L8OZQpCgro-o-Irp7Y2JWODx51a9fACLcBGAs/s1600/DO3xoU_W0AA-knI.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="1200" height="180" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bU8kKsVqKcw/WklS1DLoSmI/AAAAAAAAAfA/Vi8L8OZQpCgro-o-Irp7Y2JWODx51a9fACLcBGAs/s320/DO3xoU_W0AA-knI.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Common Toad under reptile refugium sheet (Matt Griffiths)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ElJrvM-X5R4/WklS24_3chI/AAAAAAAAAfE/CS_UBOuKxWI4_E0LQ6sh9SA_wPuEUZ-UgCLcBGAs/s1600/DO3xoUyXcAA2FjS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="675" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ElJrvM-X5R4/WklS24_3chI/AAAAAAAAAfE/CS_UBOuKxWI4_E0LQ6sh9SA_wPuEUZ-UgCLcBGAs/s320/DO3xoUyXcAA2FjS.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Smooth Newt on reptile refugium sheet (Matt Griffiths)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Matt<br />
<br />
P.S. I originally wrote this for Earlswood Wildlife Partnership, and I am grateful to them for allowing me the use of their reptile refugia.Matt Griffithshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08393601887748397483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1456018406976025009.post-82877935748012426752017-09-03T15:21:00.000+01:002017-09-03T20:10:13.259+01:00Earlswood all-dayer - Autumn 2017A total of 63 bird species were recorded during yesterday's Autumn all-dayer at Earlswood, which was a great result considering the pleasant weather and large amount of disturbance at the lakes (<i>cf</i>. 57 spp. in 2016, 56 spp. in 2015). Many thanks to John Bishop, Jon Chidwick, Janet James, Mike Jeeves, John Oates, Tony Philp, John Sirrett and Jim Winsper who also took part, and extra thanks to Mr. Sirrett who collated sightings during the first half of the morning. Species list as follows, highlights in bold:<br />
<br />
<ol>
<li>Greylag Goose</li>
<li>Canada Goose</li>
<li>Mallard</li>
<li><b>Shoveler (1)</b></li>
<li>Tufted Duck</li>
<li>Pheasant</li>
<li><b>Little Grebe (at private site)</b></li>
<li>Great Crested Grebe</li>
<li>Cormorant</li>
<li>Grey Heron</li>
<li>Sparrowhawk</li>
<li>Buzzard</li>
<li>Kestrel</li>
<li>Moorhen</li>
<li>Coot</li>
<li><b>Lapwing (1)</b></li>
<li><b>Common Sandpiper (2)</b></li>
<li>Black-headed Gull</li>
<li>Lesser Black-backed Gull</li>
<li>Herring Gull</li>
<li>Stock Dove</li>
<li>Wood Pigeon</li>
<li>Collared Dove</li>
<li><b>Swift (5 - quite late)</b></li>
<li>Kingfisher</li>
<li>Green Woodpecker</li>
<li>Great Spotted Woodpecker</li>
<li>Swallow</li>
<li>House Martin</li>
<li>Grey Wagtail</li>
<li>Pied Wagtail</li>
<li>Wren</li>
<li>Dunnock</li>
<li>Robin</li>
<li><b>Whinchat (2)</b></li>
<li><b>Wheatear (3)</b></li>
<li>Blackbird</li>
<li>Song Thrush</li>
<li>Mistle Thrush</li>
<li>Blackcap</li>
<li>Common Whitethroat</li>
<li>Chiffchaff</li>
<li>Willow Warbler</li>
<li>Goldcrest</li>
<li><b>Spotted Flycatcher (1)</b></li>
<li>Long-tailed Tit</li>
<li>Blue Tit</li>
<li>Great Tit</li>
<li>Coal Tit</li>
<li><b>Marsh Tit</b></li>
<li>Nuthatch</li>
<li>Jay</li>
<li>Magpie</li>
<li>Jackdaw</li>
<li>Carrion Crow</li>
<li><b>Raven</b></li>
<li>Starling</li>
<li>House Sparrow</li>
<li>Chaffinch</li>
<li>Greenfinch</li>
<li>Goldfinch</li>
<li><b>Linnet</b></li>
<li>Bullfinch</li>
</ol>
<br />
<br />
Somehow no-one managed to find Treecreeper though!!! Bat box checks with Earlswood Wildlife Partnership were a nice distraction for 4 hours, and the session was probably the best I've attended in the six years the project has been running, as we had five species including two scarcer ones: a <b>Leisler's Bat</b> (for the second consecutive year) and a <b>Whiskered/Alcathoe/Brandt's Bat</b> (droppings collected for DNA analysis to ID later). Later on, I also had a very close encounter with a young <b>Badger </b>at a new sett - all in all, a great day :-)<br />
<br />
We had no hopes of beating most of the other patches that also participated, given that they were mainly premier birding sites, but we came second-from-last. West Midlands all-dayer results were as follows:<br />
<br />
<ol>
<li>Middleton Lakes 95</li>
<li>Belvide Reservoir 94</li>
<li>Grimley 91</li>
<li>Draycote Water 85</li>
<li>Ladywalk 84</li>
<li>Sandwell Valley 82</li>
<li>Upton Warren 81</li>
<li>Venus Pool 80</li>
<li>Earlswood Lakes 63</li>
<li>Whitemoor Haye 61</li>
</ol>
Matt Griffithshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08393601887748397483noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1456018406976025009.post-86387608886236110642017-07-28T21:19:00.000+01:002017-07-28T21:21:07.417+01:00Valley Road car park to be closedValley Road car park is to be closed for a 6-month trial, a decision which has been made with no consultation with birders who regularly use it. It was a nasty surprise when I found out, and very disappointing, especially as two people involved in the decision know full well I regularly use the car park and had talked to me about other things in recent months, but not about this! One of the reasons for the closure is fly-tipping, but I can't see how closing it will stop that as there will still be space there for rubbish, albeit behind a fence/barrier. I just hope other birders don't feel discouraged by this like I am...<br />
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<div>
Some email correspondence below for further info.</div>
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I was very disappointed to learn that a decision has been made to close the Valley Road car park for a 6-month trial, without any consultation with users of the car park. I and other birdwatchers regularly use this car park because it is accessible early morning when the other car parks are closed, and it provides convenient close access to the causeway, which is a favoured observation point for us. The car park is also regularly used by C&RT and their contractors, especially those who cut the grass along the dam/causeway and do the monthly safety inspections. Other visitors also use it, and although it has low vehicle capacity I disagree with the statement that it is rarely full of cars as this varies depending on time of day and whether weekday or weekend - generally it is well used at weekends and during nice weather, like the other car parks but on a smaller scale. I took the photo in this link on Thursday evening last week: <a class="x_OWAAutoLink" href="https://twitter.com/earlswoodbirds/status/885626937955295232" id="LPlnk981651" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/earlswoodbirds/status/885626937955295232</a></div>
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With the local population set to increase as more houses are built at Tidbury Green and Dickens Heath, more car parking may be needed in the future, not less. Closing this car park may encourage anglers who currently use it to park more along Malthouse Lane, especially at night when the other car parks are closed - poignant given the possibility of night fishing being allowed in future. It also won't remove antisocial behaviour from the Earlswood area as a whole as undesirables will simply go elsewhere to the dam, other car parks such as the Reservoir pub's, or the quieter lanes. Converting the car park to a planted area also won't necessarily stop fly-tipping there, as people could still drop rubbish on the plants from the road.</div>
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Surely if people are willing to take responsibility for closing the car park, they could take responsibility for improving and maintaining it? Perhaps removable bollards could be used there? I could help remove litter if provided with a picker and bags.<br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
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Kind regards,</div>
<div>
Matt</div>
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<span style="color: #001b4b;">Hi Matt,</span></div>
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<span style="color: #001b4b;">thank you for contacting us directly. I am aware that you have raised this on your Twitter account.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #001b4b;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="color: #001b4b;">We have worked well together in the past so I am sorry that you are against this trial.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #001b4b;">I am also rather disappointed that you don't seem to appreciate that we have monitored and explored all the possibilities that have been open to us.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #001b4b;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="color: #001b4b;">I am sending the reply that I sent to Janet James, I believe you know Janet. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #001b4b;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="color: #001b4b;">However I will add that your suggestion of removable bollards was discussed as an option but discarded as it would not stop fly tipping.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #001b4b;">I draw your attention to the fact that C&RT were present at the meeting which made this decision and have offered some financial help towards completing the work.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #001b4b;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="color: #001b4b;">Your offer of help with litter picking is appreciated but the problem is greater I'm afraid than litter picking. When we had the meeting in Valley Rd., including District Cllr., our MP, Sgt. Bob Shaw, Ian Lane from C&Rt, Parish Council representative and Res. Assoc. representatives, we had to stand amongst men's underwear, a pair of denim jeans, bags of assorted rubbish and the debris was noted which had accumulated at the back of the site.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #001b4b;">Depressing sight. Residents should not have to tolerate this as I'm sure you will agree. This of course is the tip of the iceberg of ASB associated with this parcel of land.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #001b4b;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="color: #001b4b;">You mention people taking responsibility for improving and maintaining the site. The whole point of this trial closure is because nobody will take responsibility or spend any money on it.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #001b4b;">We can find nobody willing to take ownership, we would much prefer it if somebody came forward.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #001b4b;">It requires money of course to make it work as a viable car park. Dumped cars set alight, overnight sleepers, fly tipping and acknowledged drug dealing don't make it very attractive for a possible responsible organisation with funding.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #001b4b;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="color: #001b4b;">Yes, it may put a few more cars elsewhere but that problem already exists and has to be dealt with.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #001b4b;">The Causeway is on the list, along with Valley Rd., for the extra police patrols which we have successfully campaigned for over the last 2 or 3 years.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #001b4b;">I will say that we have noticed a reduction in the last 6 weeks of fly tipping. As for the number of cars parking there, I do regularly monitor this, I'm in and out often at different times of the day, as a resident.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #001b4b;">There are no easy answers here Matt, we did a clean up there and took away 14 bags of assorted debris, a quantity of bedding from the back of the site, and the human waste issues associated with overnight sleepers. Asbestos panels and loads of broken glass.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #001b4b;">There are people living right behind this land.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #001b4b;">You mention lack of consultation but, as a Res. Assoc., we do our best to find the best outcome for the local community. The residents of Earlswood make many compromises to accommodate the visitors to the lakes.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #001b4b;">I did speak to users of the car park, most said that if it was such a problem then close it. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #001b4b;">It is impossible to please everyone of course and it is a trial and will be evaluated at the end of it.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #001b4b;">Dear Ms. James,</span></div>
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<span style="color: #001b4b;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="color: #001b4b;">The decision to trial a closure of this car park was taken at a meeting attended by our MP, the police, Canal and River Trust, our District Councillor and representation from our Parish Council.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #001b4b;">The suggestion of a six month closure came from the police. We, as a Res. Assoc. do not have the power to take action without the full support of those people mentioned.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #001b4b;">It was agreed unanimously by those at the meeting.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #001b4b;">Why do we need to take this action you may ask if you have not fully acquainted yourself with all details.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #001b4b;">We can find no trace of an owner of the land. This means nobody takes responsibility for maintenance or management of the land.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #001b4b;">Streetscene, at S.D.C. have been cooperative in cleaning up the area when there has been fly tipping. This has been a regular occurrence.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #001b4b;">We are grateful for this as the land does not belong to S.D.C. therefore they do not have to accept any responsibility towards its maintenance.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #001b4b;">We have people sleeping there overnight with the resulting rubbish and human excreta left behind.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #001b4b;">We have had recently a car dumped there and then set alight. There are two mobile homes directly behind and there was great concern for their safety.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #001b4b;">The other issue which is ongoing is the use of this area to deal drugs. This usually takes place in the hours of darkness although not solely.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #001b4b;">Whilst monitoring the car park, such as it is, we have noted that it is rarely full, with a maximum of eight cars, mostly there are just one or two cars throughout the day.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #001b4b;">I would also point out that overnight fishing is illegal at Earlswood Lakes so there should be no vehicles associated with fishing in the hours of darkness.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #001b4b;">Whilst the residents of Earlswood understand the needs of visitors </span><span style="color: #001b4b;">they are entitled to peace and quiet in the hours of darkness and the early hours of the morning. This is not unreasonable.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #001b4b;">Ms. James, you suggest that we improve the area in Valley Rd., but with no ownership, who do you suggest pays for this? Do you think that we haven't explored options?</span></div>
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<span style="color: #001b4b;">The Res. Assoc., made up of local residents, is well placed to know all the recurring problems we have accommodating the visitors to the lakes</span></div>
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<span style="color: #001b4b;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="color: #001b4b;">The residents of Malthouse Lane have to put up with far too much as it is and this area in Valley Rd. attracts anti social behaviour. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #001b4b;">We are trying to remove these unacceptable elements not encourage them. If you live here I'm sure you would agree with this.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #001b4b;">I would suggest that, in the early hours of the morning, you park in the Red Lion car park. By walking along Wood Lane you can take the path down to the lakes therefore disturbing no-one. I would also suggest approaching Tanworth in Arden Parish Council asking if the Malthouse Lane car park hours of closing in the summer months could be reviewed and a sign for the car park be reinstated.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #001b4b;"><span style="color: #001b4b;">We do not want anybody parking anywhere in the hours of darkness, residents deserve their hours of peace to live and sleep.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #001b4b;"><span style="color: #001b4b;">This is our view and we would prefer the area to be taken over and managed but this is not an option that has been taken up by any of the interested parties.</span></span></div>
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Matt Griffithshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08393601887748397483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1456018406976025009.post-30370594926013669602017-03-25T21:30:00.000+00:002017-03-25T21:31:18.762+00:00Terry's Pool desolationApologies for the tardiness of this post. The past few months have been somewhat depressing for those of us with an interest in the wildlife of Earlswood Lakes. Although the Cormorant-scaring, which had been causing disturbance to waterbirds, was stopped around the beginning of this month due to the bird breeding season starting, further efforts to reduce Cormorant numbers at the lakes by removing trees used for perching have resulted in an unsightly, heartbreaking scene at Terry's Pool. Trees on some of the islands have been cut back extremely hard, and it will take a long time for them to recover, which I hope they will and will be allowed to. I thank Tony Philp, who has been monitoring the lakes more frequently than me of late, for permission to reproduce his email to C&RT here, which explains the story more fully:<br />
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As a conservationist I'm becoming increasingly concerned by the CRT Fisheries & Angling Management's approach to maintenance around Earlswood Lakes.</div>
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Initially it took the form of 'Minor Tree Works' around the angling platforms in December of last year, when contractors cut, pruned and removed overhanging limbs, branches and bushes from around the platforms on Engine Pool. This they then stacked 6' high between each platform (attached pics) thus suppressing any natural vegetation that might grow to screen the lake and provide refuge for fish and wildlife. As predicted in my email to Carl Nicholls on 9/01/17 this is now falling/being thrown into the lake and adjoining feeder streams, not to mention destroying the appearance of what was an attractive lakeside walk for visitors.</div>
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Last week the contractors returned and under the instructions of Carl Nicholls were to have removed limbs and branches from the 5 or 6 islands at the far end of Terry's Pool (this despite the fact that the CRT had been made aware earlier that birds were nesting on the site) What happened appears inexcusable - The large 2 islands at the north end of the lake, which had already been 'pruned' last year, were reduced to little more than floating platforms (attached pic). Most of the prunings were left on the island or in the water making it inaccessible to waterfowl for nesting. A third island which had no suitable perching places was half attacked and left with several ideal perches! (attached before & after pics)</div>
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This is not the first time that contractors employed by the CRT have made a mess of the job, and I would suggest that in future, such work is supervised by a knowledgeable member of the CRT on site or, alternative contractors found who know what they are doing. Carl was at pains to point out that these contractors were 'aware of environmental considerations including the potential for nesting birds'. - I don't think so!</div>
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I understand that you would like Terry's Pool to 'remain a place for nature, introduce more educational visits and try and regain the SSSI status'. So would I, but if this is the case, then the Fisheries & Angling Management staff need to be aware of it , so that they can actively support the aim rather than favour dismantling the habitat for the benefit of only fishermen.</div>
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Yours sincerely,</div>
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Tony Philp (10/03/2017)</div>
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C&RT sent the following response to an email from Earlswood Wildlife Partnership:</div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">It appears that whilst a clear instruction was given by Carl, our contractors have failed to deliver the agreed works and done something totally different which is unacceptable. The works planned by Carl were minor tree works that had been approved. The works have been carried out on completely the wrong island as they were supposed to be carried out on the small islands at the top of the reservoir but have instead been carried out on the two islands closest to the Engine lake . The works have also been carried out beyond the specification of just cutting tree limbs and branches.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">The Trust now needs to understand how this has happened and ensure it doesn’t happen again.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">As is correctly stated below I still firmly believe the site can reach an environmental status. The nature of the lakes will always mean that we need to keep the balance of works to promote wildlife and also to ensure the fishery is successful but we can’t keep making errors like this and I can assure you that neither Carl, Paul or me are happy that this has happened.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Kind regards</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Ian Lane (09/03/2017)</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cut branches at Engine Pool (Tony Philp)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cut branches at Engine Pool (Tony Philp)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Terry's Pool "Little Egret island" - before (Tony Philp)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Terry's Pool "Little Egret island" - after (Tony Philp)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BZMcLpoeJgU/WNbc8AXq6CI/AAAAAAAAAd4/a0WphP7C18wF6cxyH_jlnACdylUgUcuGQCLcB/s1600/JRenowden%2B4yrs%2Bago.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BZMcLpoeJgU/WNbc8AXq6CI/AAAAAAAAAd4/a0WphP7C18wF6cxyH_jlnACdylUgUcuGQCLcB/s320/JRenowden%2B4yrs%2Bago.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Terry's Pool "Cormorant island" - four years ago (Jenny Renowden)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-o-vpcemF27g/WNbc9c25iII/AAAAAAAAAd8/2xFz8AzJIfY5IhVpDmrzW2LaOty5hzr2QCLcB/s1600/DSC_0167.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="158" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-o-vpcemF27g/WNbc9c25iII/AAAAAAAAAd8/2xFz8AzJIfY5IhVpDmrzW2LaOty5hzr2QCLcB/s320/DSC_0167.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Terry's Pool "Cormorant island" - this month (Tony Philp)</td></tr>
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</div>
Matt Griffithshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08393601887748397483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1456018406976025009.post-31736988691865928392016-12-01T20:33:00.000+00:002016-12-01T20:33:24.754+00:00Reservoir PlantationSome habitat photos and location map of the woodland owned by the Reservoir pub, which adjoins the eastern side of Windmill Pool:<br />
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<br />Matt Griffithshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08393601887748397483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1456018406976025009.post-45460478717383402462016-11-29T21:43:00.000+00:002016-11-29T21:45:48.392+00:00From C&RT: "Minor tree works" at Engine Pool<div class="x_MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
Dear all,</div>
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Just to let you know that our contactors will be onsite on Friday 2nd December and the following week from Tuesday 6th December to cut, prune and remove overhanging limbs, branches and bushes that are having an impact on anglers, casting or playing fish from the wooden platforms around Engine pool. They will be working their way round visiting each platform and carrying out any necessary work to allow for safe angling. Many will require no work, with the majority of the works being from pegs 15 to 40.</div>
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Kind regards</div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Carl Nicholls</span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Fisheries & Angling Manager</span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Canal & River Trust</span></b></div>
Matt Griffithshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08393601887748397483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1456018406976025009.post-21595986910676967542016-11-21T13:27:00.000+00:002016-11-21T13:27:38.880+00:00Three pieces of good news!I've reported a fair bit of bad news for Earlswood wildlife on here this year. On top of this, I neglected to mention such things as the clearance of the scrubby field beside the railway in-between Clowes Wood and Earlswood station during the breeding season, the continuing gradual cutting of trees in the copse adjoining the northernmost side of Terry's Pool, and most recently the bund of earth with leylandii conifers planted on top that is now at Rose Farm. Apparently the landowner of Rose Farm is also not allowing Earlswood Wildlife Partnership to replace the dilapidated owl box that's there, which was formerly used regularly by Stock Doves. :-(<br />
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Anyway, I have three pieces of good news to pass on:<br />
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<b>Housing development</b><br />
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There was concern about 10 sites in the Earlswood recording area being considered for suitability for development, after they were included in a "Call for sites" document published by Solihull Council earlier this year. However, the council have now published their Draft Local Plan for the borough, to guide housing development up to the year 2033, and I'm pleased to see that none of the sites proposed to be developed lie within the Earlswood area. Having said that, a few sites are fairly close and an increase in the human population locally will still impact Earlswood, most notably through increased visitor numbers to the area. The Draft Local Plan document and maps of proposed development sites are available at:<br />
<a href="http://www.cgra.org.uk/documents/draft_local_plan_nov2016.pdf">http://www.cgra.org.uk/documents/draft_local_plan_nov2016.pdf</a><br />
<a href="http://www.cgra.org.uk/documents/draft_local_plan_site_allocations.pdf">http://www.cgra.org.uk/documents/draft_local_plan_site_allocations.pdf</a><br />
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<b>Terry's Pool fishing</b><br />
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Another concern was the proposals submitted to Canal and River Trust regarding expansion of fishing at Terry's Pool. Fortunately, thanks to everyone who sent in objections, the proposals will not be considered further, though I suspect they'll be pushed for again in the future. The following email contains some further potentially exciting news:<br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Dear All</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Thank you, on behalf of Earlswood Stakeholders Group, for your contribution to the consultation regarding fishing on Terry’s Pool Earlswood. Ian Lane, The Canal and River Trust’s Waterways Manager for the West Midlands, has considered all the correspondence regarding the issue and made the following statement: -</span></div>
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<span style="color: #2e75b6;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I have now informed Mr Verney that I will not be changing my stance on fishing around Terry’s pool and it will continue to be used as a place for nature with no increase in fishing. We want to raise its profile and introduce more educational visits to it, including pond dipping etc. I also want to try and regain the old SSSI status it once had as well as using it for spawning of fish (if possible) and other water based creatures. Please pass on my thanks to those that helped in the consultation process.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I am sure you will all be as pleased with the result as we were.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Kind Regards</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Len Cresswell</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Member of Earlswood Lakes Stakeholders Group representing CRT, West Midlands Waterways Partnership</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="color: red;">If anyone knows anything about the SSSI designation which Terry's Pool formerly had, please get in touch with me as I can't find anything on it.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z58hUwr66I4/WDD7Jz6MsEI/AAAAAAAAAbk/hbzZXeTfkLE4YPjFsJd1KuEYKlD3nVnxwCLcB/s1600/20161117_110416.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z58hUwr66I4/WDD7Jz6MsEI/AAAAAAAAAbk/hbzZXeTfkLE4YPjFsJd1KuEYKlD3nVnxwCLcB/s320/20161117_110416.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Terry's Pool, 17/11/2016</td></tr>
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<b>Earlswood Springwatch</b><br />
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Thirdly, Earlswood Springwatch 2017 is happening, and the date has been confirmed as <b><u>Saturday May 13th</u></b>. I should be free to attend this and I'm currently considering doing a "Birds of Earlswood" display! Perhaps in conjunction with the West Midland Bird Club. I kind of struggle with talking to people, especially groups, so I'm looking for at least one other Earlswood regular to join me on the day for a bit of moral support and to help talk to the public about our patch. No doubt the WMBC folk will also help but it would be good to have someone who can talk about recent sightings, etc. Anyone interested?<br />
<br />
Matt</div>
Matt Griffithshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08393601887748397483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1456018406976025009.post-16027819760521048772016-09-12T23:51:00.001+01:002016-09-12T23:51:11.285+01:00Proposals to expand fishing at Terry's Pool... againWe've been here before, but again proposals have been submitted to Canal and River Trust regarding expansion of fishing at Terry's Pool, and apparently the fisherman pushing this is taking them to court over it! Currently fishing at Terry's Pool is restricted to the eastern side that adjoins Engine Pool. The following is from Earlswood Wildlife Partnership, and the expansion proposals are in the image at the bottom:<br />
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<span style="line-height: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Dear Members</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Attached are details of proposals sent to Canal and River Trust regarding changes requested to fishing rights on Terry’s Pool.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Earlswood Wildlife Partnership will oppose these changes which we see as detrimental to the wildlife of this area but we have been asked to forward this proposal to our members in order that as many people as possible have the opportunity to make their views heard.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Any views you may wish to put forward should be sent to Len Cresswell: </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><a href="mailto:Irecresswell@btinternet.com" target="_blank"><span style="line-height: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Irecresswell@btinternet.com</span></span></a></span><span style="line-height: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">no later than 19<sup>th</sup> September to enable him to compile a reply to these proposals based on interested parties views (we would be grateful if you could send a copy of your response to us as well).</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Please do forward a copy of this to anyone you feel maybe interested in this proposal and may wish to make a response but, most importantly, please send your responses to Len Cresswell BEFORE 19<sup>th</sup> September.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Best regards</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Cheryl Roberts (Secretary)</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Earlswood Wildlife Partnership</span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oU7e32ddr_4/V9cl8d2tIOI/AAAAAAAAAak/cHdeR9IP48szOrcgyspzx-POEmfn2-GugCLcB/s1600/%2523%2523%2523%2523proposals.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: transparent; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oU7e32ddr_4/V9cl8d2tIOI/AAAAAAAAAak/cHdeR9IP48szOrcgyspzx-POEmfn2-GugCLcB/s320/%2523%2523%2523%2523proposals.jpg" width="274" /></a></div>
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Matt Griffithshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08393601887748397483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1456018406976025009.post-65331817119031557622016-09-12T23:50:00.001+01:002016-09-12T23:57:11.429+01:00Rose Farm habitat changesIn the wooded part of Rose Farm adjoining Little Clowes Wood, trees have been cut down and the stream dredged. It's no longer possible to access Clowes Wood meadow via here as the stream has been re-directed around the culvert, which formerly you could walk on to cross the stream. Most alarmingly though is the fact that this has been done in the immediate vicinity of bat boxes, and some of the trees felled may have had bat boxes on them! Some of this land may be owned by Canal and River Trust too, but as far as I know this work has been done by the Parker family who are the new owners of Rose Farm! Pictures taken today:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6MbnH5GDIfs/V9cvlhs77YI/AAAAAAAAAa0/6U9zc2KsNKg2SKRRmK7Fm8CpZ3alo54FACLcB/s1600/20160912_122036.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6MbnH5GDIfs/V9cvlhs77YI/AAAAAAAAAa0/6U9zc2KsNKg2SKRRmK7Fm8CpZ3alo54FACLcB/s320/20160912_122036.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trees have been cleared all the way along the stream to where it joins Terry's Pool feeder channel</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d96tdorZkGE/V9cvplwk6BI/AAAAAAAAAa4/f99BMkHVjLYoUkjBfZWrXH0tVtBLHJBLQCLcB/s1600/20160912_122101.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d96tdorZkGE/V9cvplwk6BI/AAAAAAAAAa4/f99BMkHVjLYoUkjBfZWrXH0tVtBLHJBLQCLcB/s320/20160912_122101.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cleared area looking towards the railway</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e7irFpzVfkU/V9cvslvpMsI/AAAAAAAAAa8/r1uETUGrLgwQeB6J2qm2vYrodzZa-wp7QCLcB/s1600/20160912_122149.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e7irFpzVfkU/V9cvslvpMsI/AAAAAAAAAa8/r1uETUGrLgwQeB6J2qm2vYrodzZa-wp7QCLcB/s320/20160912_122149.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Cleared area looking towards the railway</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Eksd3fy5amY/V9cvvzXnlNI/AAAAAAAAAbA/KGXnVkXVZQsaDV5XMleFyWBJw-GZg2eWACLcB/s1600/20160912_122247.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Eksd3fy5amY/V9cvvzXnlNI/AAAAAAAAAbA/KGXnVkXVZQsaDV5XMleFyWBJw-GZg2eWACLcB/s320/20160912_122247.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The now defunct culvert, the stream having been re-directed around it</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vRfChCAjQaY/V9cv10bJo0I/AAAAAAAAAbE/Fdd8lbtdPxwlAxiLCugwF9OpQ5VjlMoeACLcB/s1600/20160912_122415.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vRfChCAjQaY/V9cv10bJo0I/AAAAAAAAAbE/Fdd8lbtdPxwlAxiLCugwF9OpQ5VjlMoeACLcB/s320/20160912_122415.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cleared area right next to bat boxes :-(</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vySQ81BxOQc/V9cv3tQutuI/AAAAAAAAAbI/oDf3lcMjKOAjmF2fYti90w5cYaoztR9_QCLcB/s1600/20160912_122455.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vySQ81BxOQc/V9cv3tQutuI/AAAAAAAAAbI/oDf3lcMjKOAjmF2fYti90w5cYaoztR9_QCLcB/s320/20160912_122455.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Cleared area right next to bat boxes :-(</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-275hu3LOiCI/V9cv5JmZ1oI/AAAAAAAAAbM/V411UPBBCU0Fq9Xb15MzwkDbgtzOp7JgwCLcB/s1600/20160912_123103.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-275hu3LOiCI/V9cv5JmZ1oI/AAAAAAAAAbM/V411UPBBCU0Fq9Xb15MzwkDbgtzOp7JgwCLcB/s320/20160912_123103.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cleared area looking towards Terry's Pool</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Matt Griffithshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08393601887748397483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1456018406976025009.post-54976030350575943372016-09-04T11:08:00.000+01:002016-09-04T11:14:41.123+01:00Earlswood autumn all-day birdwatch 2016This autumn's patch all-dayer produced a cumulative total of 57 bird species. Many thanks to John Sirrett for compiling the following list for the day:<br />
<div>
<ol>
<li>Mute Swan</li>
<li>Greylag Goose</li>
<li>Canada Goose</li>
<li>Mallard</li>
<li>Tufted Duck</li>
<li>Little Grebe</li>
<li>Great Crested Grebe</li>
<li>Cormorant</li>
<li>Grey Heron</li>
<li>Sparrowhawk</li>
<li>Buzzard</li>
<li>Kestrel</li>
<li>Pheasant</li>
<li>Moorhen</li>
<li>Coot</li>
<li>Common Sandpiper</li>
<li>Black-headed Gull</li>
<li>Lesser Black-backed Gull</li>
<li>Herring Gull</li>
<li>Stock Dove</li>
<li>Wood Pigeon</li>
<li>Collared Dove</li>
<li>Swift</li>
<li>Kingfisher</li>
<li>Green Woodpecker</li>
<li>Great Spotted Woodpecker</li>
<li>Sand Martin</li>
<li>Swallow</li>
<li>House Martin</li>
<li>Meadow Pipit</li>
<li>Grey Wagtail</li>
<li>Pied Wagtail</li>
<li>Wren</li>
<li>Dunnock</li>
<li>Robin</li>
<li>Blackbird</li>
<li>Song Thrush</li>
<li>Mistle Thrush</li>
<li>Blackcap</li>
<li>Chiffchaff</li>
<li>Goldcrest</li>
<li>Long-tailed Tit</li>
<li>Blue Tit</li>
<li>Great Tit</li>
<li>Nuthatch</li>
<li>Treecreeper</li>
<li>Magpie</li>
<li>Jay</li>
<li>Jackdaw</li>
<li>Carrion Crow</li>
<li>Raven</li>
<li>Starling</li>
<li>House Sparrow</li>
<li>Chaffinch</li>
<li>Greenfinch</li>
<li>Goldfinch</li>
<li>Bullfinch</li>
</ol>
I could only manage to find 40 species (re-counted) in the 4 hours I could spare due to uni coursework, so many thanks to John Oates, John Sirrett and Jim Winsper for also participating. It rained for part of the day, and many of the passerines were elusive, often just heard-only observations in vegetation still in full-leaf, so conditions were especially challenging. Seeing as we got 56 species on the all-dayer last autumn, 57 this autumn was a very good score!<br />
<br />
By the way, I realise that I never got round to writing up the results of the Earlswood all-dayer back in the spring. The 77 species recorded in one day was a fantastic result and must surely be a patch record - one which we may never beat again! I got 67 species which was a personal best. Many thanks to the participants on that day, who were Jon Chidwick, Paul Fitzgerald, Yvonne Heward, Mike Jeeves, John Oates, Barbara Philp, Tony Philp, John Sirrett and Jim Winsper.<br />
<br />
I'm so proud of Team Earlswood! :-)</div>
Matt Griffithshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08393601887748397483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1456018406976025009.post-29447793958796331382016-08-22T22:00:00.000+01:002016-08-22T22:00:38.928+01:00Call for development sites at EarlswoodSolihull Council have recently published a <a href="http://www.solihull.gov.uk/Portals/0/Planning/LPR/Schedule_of_Call_for_Sites_Submissions.pdf">"Call for sites" schedule</a>, presenting sites submitted by landowners and developers to the council for consideration of suitability for housing development. Somewhat alarmingly, 10 of these sites are situated within the Earlswood recording area (all in Tidbury Green parish) and some are quite large, but all have yet to be assessed for their suitability at this early stage. Certainly something to keep an eye on...<br />
<br />
Here's a map of the sites with the site names (and promoters/agents)<br />
below:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QFrff6bQ8cg/V6-1uYmTITI/AAAAAAAAAaM/TRenV3W_A4E0Ed0-79-1Fhrhf4SqE78zwCLcB/s1600/%2523%2523%2523.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="258" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QFrff6bQ8cg/V6-1uYmTITI/AAAAAAAAAaM/TRenV3W_A4E0Ed0-79-1Fhrhf4SqE78zwCLcB/s400/%2523%2523%2523.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
37 Bowyer Farm (landowner)<br />
39 Field adjacent to Tudor Croft (landowner)<br />
42 Big Cleobury Farm (landowner)<br />
58 Land at Cleobury
Lane (John Shepherd Estate Agents)<br />
69 Norton Lane (PRW Strategic Advice)<br />
70 Kidpile Farm (landowner)<br />
71 Land at 149-163
Wood Lane
(Tyler-Parkes Partnership)<br />
73 Earlswood
Caravan/Ambleside
Nursery (ACL Consultants)<br />
141 Land around
Earlswood Station
(Bilfinger GVA)<br />
206 Land at Norton Lane (DS Planning)<br />
<br />Matt Griffithshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08393601887748397483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1456018406976025009.post-61831900324238530572016-05-15T14:53:00.001+01:002016-05-15T14:56:45.422+01:00West Midlands Spring Bird Race 2016This year and hopefully in subsequent years from now on, the Warks bird race took place on the same day as the spring all-dayer that has been organised at Upton Warren for many years, and at other key West Midlands region birding sites more recently too. The "Ladywalk Loons" did really well to come first in this #WestMidsBirdRace list as well when you look at the competition! I'm really pleased with Team Earlswood's position here too for the same reason. But all patches got good scores, so well done all :-)<br />
<br />
1. Ladywalk - 93<br />
2. Belvide - 90<br />
=3. Grimley - 89<br />
=3. Middleton Lakes - 89<br />
5. Sandwell Valley - 85<br />
6. Upton Warren - 84<br />
7. Marsh Lane - 83<br />
<b>=8. Earlswood - 77</b><br />
=8. Salford Priors GP - 77<br />
=9. Clayhanger / Ryders Mere / Stubber's Green - 74<br />
=9. Draycote - 74<br />
=9. Venus Pool - 74<br />
10. Charlecote - 73<br />
11. Farnborough Park / Burton Dassett - 59<br />
12. Morton Bagot - 54<br />
<br />
A re-match in the autumn is on the cards! >:-)<br />
<br />
Phil Andrews has posted species lists for most of the participating sites <a href="http://www.birdforum.net/showpost.php?p=3399747&postcount=31005">here</a>.Matt Griffithshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08393601887748397483noreply@blogger.com0