Twitter

This blog was set up to provide people with news on birds noted at Earlswood but I've been struggling to keep it updated recently, which perhaps explains why I've received less emails reporting birds seen compared to previous years.

Anyway, regulars here will be pleased to know that I've set up a twitter account for posting brief sightings news for the Earlswood area. It remains to be seen whether I keep it up though - you know what I'm like! I still intend to use this blog for more lengthy postings.

The Twitter account is at www.twitter.com/earlswoodbirds

Matt

August 6th 2012

Super visit - a good day for migrants:
Common Sandpiper at Windmill Pool; presumably the same bird present since the end of last month?
Common Redstart male in horse pasture hedge south side of Gypsy Lane.
Grasshopper Warbler heard reeling in Spring Brook Scrubland, and whilst attempting to see it (without success) a flock of 8 Crossbills flew over calling.
A certain over-summering duck remains, currently at Engine Pool.

The Gropper takes my patch year list to 109. Due to late shifts at work, I've not done much birding in the last couple of months, but hope to write a summary of what little has been seen when time allows. Please email me your Earlswood sightings from recent months as I've likely missed anything interesting.

Water levels appear to be falling at the two main pools (over a foot below maximum) - if they drop further and expose more lakebed, will we get some waders?

Matt

Earlswood wetland creation?

Waterfowl and waders are attracted to Earlswood Lakes, but many simply fly over finding nowhere suitable to land, or are disturbed off. A field near the lakes has come on the market recently, which I think could potentially be turned into a wetland nature reserve for these birds and other animals. I don't want to say too much on here, lest it attracts the attention of certain undesirable buyers, but if interested in co-purchasing or know someone who might be, please drop me an email. Thanks.
Matt

The field as it currently stands

Spring and outflow channel/ditch highlighted 

Just a very rough idea, probably subject to permissions!

(concealed hide to the right)

14th April 2012

Apologies for the lack of posts on here, and delay replying to your emails - I've been very busy at work in the last few weeks, and along with resting, a little birding and other things, I haven't had much time to spend on the computer. Actually, I haven't been finding a great many birds recently, but today was the best for a while with four patch year ticks:

• Male Redstart in hedge around larger horse pasture visible from the brick bridge (Gypsy Lane) at the southwest corner of Windmill Pool. I had a female in this same hedge last autumn, so evidently they like it.
• Two Oystercatchers flying around the two main pools, briefly settling on one of the reed islands, then heading off over Terry's Pool.
• A Yellow Wagtail flew straight over Engine Pool.
• Three Rooks (finally) over Springbrook Lane area.

There were also c. 55 Sand Martins over the lakes, which is largest congregation of this species that I've personally seen at Earlswood. Migrants including Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Blackcap, Common Tern and all three hirundine species are around, with a few Common Sandpipers having passed through. Since the Firecrest, a few other good birds have been found in the area by other observers. From memory, these were a Short-eared Owl along Norton Lane (Craig Reed), A Red Kite along Forshaw Heath Road (Keith Lovell), 3 Oystercatchers over the lakes (Martin Lindop) and a pair of Gadwall (found by Tony Philp) which stayed for many days and were joined by a second pair at one point. John Sirrett found the first Swallow, House Martin and Common Sandpiper, Jon Chidwick the first Blackcap, and Mike Jeeves the first Common Tern, whilst I think I can only claim Earlswood's first Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler and Sand Martin this year. Up to 3 Shoveler have been at Terry's Pool, with two males present today. Many thanks to everyone who's sent me their sightings - coverage seems to have been pretty good, despite the reduced amount of time I've put in so far this spring.

Matt

St. Patrick's Church open day

St Patrick’s Church, Salter Street

B94 6DE.

“A striking & unexpected accent in a wholly rural landscape” (Quote from English Heritage)

In 2011, St Patrick’s Church, Salter Street achieved Grade II*listed status. The beautiful Victorian church, designed by Bidlake, had finally been recognised as the very special place it is; there are intricate carvings, ornate decorations, stunning murals and a wonderful ceiling.

To celebrate this there have been several open days, allowing many people to come in and see the treasures for themselves. The next one is on:

Bank Holiday Monday 9^th April

Visitors will be welcome between 10am-4pm. There will be

· accompanied tours

· a chance to sit quietly

· the Millennium Tapestry to see

· wildflowers in our churchyard conservation area

· books for sale

· refreshments to enjoy.

Car parking is available in the car park, 100m along from the church

Contact phone number:

Barbara Philp 07734 228500

Earlswood Country Park proposal

The number of people who contacted British Waterways about Terry's Pool last year clearly showed that many care about the lakes, which is good to know. I hope users of the lakes and woods will be similarly compelled to comment on the proposed Country Park, the consultation period for which ends on the 30th of this month at 5pm. Stratford District Council have asked:

"Should the potential for providing a Country Park based on Earlswood Lakes be pursued and, if so, what issues need to be addressed?"

Click on this page for details on how to comment on this question. The simplest way would be to send this document to planning.policy@stratford-dc.gov.uk

Alternatively, you can leave a comment or email me, and I'll pass it on to the Tanworth-in-Arden Parish Council, who are involved in responding to the consultation process.

I am still of two minds on this proposal.

Matt

P.S. no further sign of the Firecrest since the initial sighting.

March 8th 2012

Firecrest seen briefly in holly in Big Clowes Wood (section west of railway), at southwest side of wood along main path. Look for cows in adjacent field to find area where bird was seen. After 10-15 seconds it went into holly thicket and couldn't be relocated in about an hour's search.

Yesterday, a female Stonechat was seen on brook fenceposts along Springbrook Lane.

M.P. Griffiths

February 25th 2012

Earlswood has been rather quiet in the past week or two, but on reflection I suppose it's not been too bad a month for patch birding, with what was almost certainly a Crossbill flying straight over Engine Pool, and a female Blackcap along Gypsy Lane (the first I've seen wintering at Earlswood), which I was really pleased with. The Little Grebe remained but departed during the cold period, which was disappointing as I'd hoped it might stay and breed. The cold, icy weather also brought in a long-staying male Wigeon, up to 4 Teals, at least 4 different Common Gulls and an intersex Mallard. A peak of 491 Mallard appears to be another site record, whilst counts of 55 Robins and 73 Blackbirds around the lakes were equally impressive. Windmill Pool has had a regular Grey Wagtail along the dam and up to 6 Lesser Redpolls just south of the sailing club slipway. Terry's Pool has had up to 2 Water Rails, one of which seems to be holding a winter territory in reeds in the channel near the car park (very elusive bird though), and today I had a Reed Bunting in a tree briefly. Tony Philp reports accidentally flushing a Woodcock near Terry's Pool, and just outside my recording area he and his wife Barbara had a sighting of an apparent Merlin in the school field along Salter Street. Generally speaking though, since the ice on the lakes melted, it has been pretty quiet for birds with even the resident species seeming to be lower in numbers. Still, there is only about three more weeks to go before the spring migrants may start to appear...

Now for something that may have an adverse impact on the birds and other wildlife of Earlswood. I haven't mentioned this before, but earlier this year, it emerged that there are plans to have an Earlswood Country Park that covers the lakes, Clowes Wood and New Fallings Coppice. I don't know much else besides what I've read in the Stratford-on-Avon Draft Core Strategy document (which I've only just looked at quickly), namely:

• "The creation of a Country Park based on Earlswood Lakes, Clowes Wood and New Fallings Coppice will be supported, in conjunction with the Canal and River Trust (currently British Waterways), Warwickshire Wildlife Trust, Tanworth-in-Arden Parish Council, Warwickshire County Council and Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council." (p67)

• "Earlswood Lakes Country Park – creation of a new recreation-focused attraction to the south of Solihull, which also seeks to reduce woodland fragmentation and enhance the existing lakes and visitor attraction in the area. Solihull (along with Coventry) has the most significant deficit in terms of sub-regional GI resources. Earlswood Lakes are easily accessible by train from Solihull (Shirley) as well as from various settlements in Stratford-on-Avon District." (p70) GI = Green Infrastructure

• Q79 - Should the potential for providing a Country Park based on Earlswood Lakes be pursued and, if so, what issues need to be addressed? (p72)

• Scheme anticipated for sometime during 2016-2021 and requiring "comprehensive feasibility testing". (p218)

My key concern is that encouraging more people to visit the area will indeed result in more visitors, and therefore more disturbance to wildlife, plus put more pressure on habitats. I haven't looked into this fully, but at the moment can't see any advantages to Earlswood's wildlife from this proposal. However, another document entitled "Sustainability Appraisal of the Draft Core Strategy" contains a table that suggests that the biggest positive effect of the Country Park would be for biodiversity, but seems to give no details. I shall try to find out more, but am "on the fence" regarding this atm. Consultation ends Friday 30th March at 5 pm. See http://www.stratford.gov.uk/planning/planning-4019.cfm?frmAlias=/dcs2012/&CFID=38261251&CFTOKEN=419ba587d55c63ef-B72182E3-A2FC-C554-3A62D5186EE04A8C

On a brighter note, it was a really nice surprise to find "MATTHEW GRIFFITHS'S BIRD WATCHING DIARY (2003 onwards)" this evening. I don't remember doing much birding during my teens, which I really regret now, but two walks with binoculars around neck in the countryside near Whitlock's End stand out in my memories, most memorable because unusually I'd been allowed to go out on my own! I'd always remembered that I found my first ever Chiffchaff in the xmas tree farm at Shirley, by the Stratford Canal, and now know that the date for this was Sunday 30th March 2003. The other was a look at Whitlock's End Farm, where I remember seeing Fieldfares and Redwings in a field, and I now know that the Redwings were a lifer and the date was Saturday 15th March 2003. I shall cherish these memories even more now.

Matt

EWP Newsletter 8‏

Earlswood Wildlife Partnership

Newsletter 8

Dear Member,

This year we want to build on the great start that we have already made on several projects in the area and hopefully start on more - but we will need your help! At the end of this newsletter you will find a list of dates and activities we have planned so please put the dates in your diary and if you are interested in helping with any of the projects please let us know so that we can keep you personally updated. You can contact us on ewp2010@btinternet.com.

Bat Boxes

Last year we installed nearly 80 bat boxes in Clowes Wood and around Terry’s Pool. This year we want to install more but we also need to find out if any bats are using the boxes already put up. If you can help with installing the bat boxes come along and join us on Saturday 25^thFebruary (see details below) and there may be an opportunity for a bat box survey (weather permitting) as we will have licensed bat handlers with us who will be able to check the bat boxes and show any residents to us.

It would be helpful if you could let us know in advance if you are willing to help so that we can plan how many boxes we can install.

We also hope to take the opportunity to install some dormouse survey tubes in Clowes Wood. Dormice are important as a “flagship species” – if dormice are present then you can be sure the environment is as good as it can be and will support a wide range of other woodland species. Warwickshire Wildlife Trust have a long-term project underway in Clowes Wood to encourage dormice so a view of the current population is necessary.

Bird Boxes

This year we would also like to help our feathered friends by installing more bird nest boxes around the area, but first we need to make them. We are hoping to hold a workshop on Saturday 24^th March (details below) and again need all the helpers that we can get. If you have your own tools so much the better, but it is not necessary. Let us know if you are interested.

Earlswood Fete

Saturday 23^rd June will be Fete Day in Earlswood and we will be there!

We hope to have a stall offering wildflower plants, bird boxes and bat boxes for sale, together with information on the projects we have started and hope to undertake in the future.

Butterfly Survey & Moth Recording

Again we will be running our Back Garden Butterfly Survey, a form will be attached to the next newsletter.

Thanks to everyone that returned their forms (if you still have one to return it is not too late). We are busily collating all of the information and will report back in the next newsletter.

Several members also ran moth traps in their gardens throughout the year and again we hope to share the results in the next newsletter. If you would like to join in, we have moth traps that you can borrow, and we hope to set up a “moth morning” later in the year so you can come along and see what it is all about. Once again let us know if you are interested.

Benches

Later in the year we hope to clean up the benches around the lakes, many people have commented that they are looking a bit tired and in need of some TLC. We will let you know when a date has been set for this.

And Finally……..

Our AGM this year will be held on Thursday 15^th May at Earlswood Village Hall. We hope to see as many of you as possible. We would welcome your views on what we have done up to now and help us to shape the activities for the future.

Hope to see you at one of our activities

Bob

Dates for your Diary 2012

Sat 25^th February Bat box survey 10.00 am Malthouse Lane Car park

Sat 24^th March Bird box workshop 10.00am Malthouse Lane Car park

Sun 15^th April Woodland Walk 2.30pm Clowes Woods Car park

Sat 21^st April 1^st Reptile Survey 10.00am Malthouse Lane Car park

Sun 6^th May Dawn Chorus Walk 4.30am Clowes Woods Car Park

Sun 13^th May Spring Walk 2.30pm Clowes Woods Car park

Tues 15^th May AGM 7.30pm Earlswood Village Hall

Sat 23^rd June Earlswood Fete 12– 4. pm Malthouse Lane Car park

February 3rd 2012

Deary me, two weeks since my last sightings post - how time flies! However, only a few notable birds have visited since then. Today, ice covered much of the lakes; a pair of Wigeon were at Windmill Pool and an adult Common Gull was at Engine Pool, and Tony Philp informs me that the long-staying Little Grebe remains at Terry's Pool. Yesterday, I had a pair of Gadwall at Engine Pool, which Tony later relocated at Terry's, but there was no sign of any today. The female Mandarin Duck has been seen on-and-off (lastly on 30th), and a male also paid a two-day visit last month when the female was absent, though whether this was a different male to the one that joined the female earlier this winter I'm not sure. The Mandarins are rather elusive and it is very likely that they are being overlooked some days, so please report all sightings to me even if you think I've probably seen them. One other notable bird last month was a finch/bunting type which flew quite high straight over Terry's Pool, which from the flight call appears to have been a Yellowhammer.

The best recent sightings have actually been mammals! I had a good view of a Field Vole at its burrow entrance along the main dam on the 30th, which was my first sighting of a live one, and saw a Bank Vole around Engine Pool in late January. However, Bob Roberts spotted a Weasel around Terry's Pool on the 29th, and subsequently Tony has had one sighting of it, managing this shot before a dog scared it. I've never seen one, so am very keen to see my first on-patch.

M.P. Griffiths

Weasel, Terry's Pool, 01/02/2012 (© Tony Philp)