Bird Report

The Birds of Uffmoor Wood and Surrounding Farmland

Systematic List

1.     Mute Swan.

Scarce visitor

 2 Mute Swans at Hunnington fisheries, shortly after flying in on 26th January 2019.

One over Hunnington Fisheries on 8^th April 2017. A pair were seen to fly North over Hunnington Fisheries on 26^th January 2019 and then circle back and settle on the main pool. One was unringed but the other had orange ring 66U on its left leg. The pair stayed until the waters froze over and were last seen on a small patch of the remaining open water on 31^st January 2019. Hope of breeding was reignited when, presumably the same pair was present on 27^th February 2019. They were still present the following day but were sadly not seen after this date.

2.     Greylag Goose

3.     Canada Goose

Common Resident

110 were seen from Uffmoor Wood on 23^rd September 2013 (Bird track). 33 were at Hunnington Fisheries on 1^st January 2018, a site record.

4.     Eurasian Teal

Uncommon Winter and passage visitor

A male was present at Hunnington Fisheries early on 25^th February 2018 and left to the East with a probable second bird. 2 were there on 11^th March 2018 with a record 5 being seen there on 24^th March 2018. Up to 3 were recorded at this site on 3 dates in January 2019, before 4 were noted on the Butterfly Field on 15^th February 2019. This was a site first and probably resulted from a small damming system that had slightly slowed and widened the brook along one section.

5.     Mallard

Common resident

The large network of waterways that lie across the area means that Mallards can be seen pretty much anywhere.

21 were at Hunnington Fisheries on 28^th February 2018, but this high count was beaten on 31^st January 2019 and 3^rd February 2019 when 26 were recorded.

6.     Tufted Duck

Scarce Winter and passage visitor

Two females were seen flying with Mallards over Hunnington Fisheries on 24/2/2017.

7.     Goosander

Scarce Winter and passage visitor

One bird recorded in Uffmoor Wood area on 23/3/2014 (BirdTrack). A red-head was at Hunnington Fisheries on 18/03/2018 (GK) and in 2019 a record 11 were present there with another one seen over Bibbey’s Dingle on the same day.

8.     Common Pheasant

­Fairly common resident

A dark variant male pheasant was at The Waxlands on 15th April 2017.

Male pheasant in paddock near the South West corner of Uffmoor Wood on 23rd April 2017.

The highest count was 3 in the Penorchards Meadows/Bogs Wood area on 28/04/2018, until a game feeder was set up at Four Oaks, attracting 2 Males and 5 females, with another male noted nearby, shortly afterwards.

9.     Great Cormorant

Common Winter visitor

11 of the 18 Cormorant that were at Hunnington

Fisheries on 7th January 2018

A record 18 were on the East bank of the main pool at Hunnington Fisheries on 7^th January 2018.  8 were present on 24^th February 2018. 9 were noted here on 26^th January 2019.

10.                        Little Egret

Rare flyover

One was seen from a garden in the Hayley Green area on 3^rd July 2017 (birdTrack). One flew South East over Seth Somers Park on 18^th October 2017.

11.                        Great White Egret

12.                        Grey Heron

Common resident

The Stour and its tributories provide great opportunities for Halesowen folk to enjoy close

encounters with Grey Herons. This individual was near Cornbow bridge on 3rd February 2018

13.                        Red Kite

14.                        Eurasian Sparrowhawk

Fairly Common Resident

15.                        Common Buzzard

Common resident

Buzzard at Tack Farm on 19th May 2018.

5 were seen together over Bogs Wood on 16^th January 2018. 6 circled over the Stour walkway near Cornbow bridge on 8^th March 2019

16.                        Water Rail

Rare winter visitor

One seen flying between the areas of reedmace on the small western pool at Hunnington Fisheries on 19^th January 2018.

17.                        Moorhen

Fairly common resident

Moorhens getting heated at Hunnington Fisheries on 19th February 2017

4 were at Hunnington Fisheries on 1^st April 2018 (GK/CM) and 2 were at Bibbey’s Hollow on 9^th March 2019 (CM). Singles were noted in the Penorchard Meadows/ Bogs Wood area on 23^rd february 2019 and 2^nd March 2019.

18.                        Common Coot

19.                        Oystercatcher

Rare passage visitor

Oystercatcher at Hunnington fisheries on 25th march 2017.

A vocal bird was seen on 25^th March 2017 heading North from Hunnington Fisheries over Breach Pool where it crossed into the West Midlands county. Shortly afterwards, presumably the same bird was seen heading back to the Fisheries from the same area. It settled on the East bank of the main pool where it was observed for almost half an hour feeding and resting on the grass.

20.                        Northern Lapwing

Scarce winter visitor, fairly common passage migrant and uncommon Summer resident

6 Lapwing at Hunnington Fisheries on 25th March 2017.

A single flew West over Uffmoor Fields on 6^th February 2017. 8 were seen flying low over the large arable field South of Breach Farm on 21^st February 2018. Seven were resting in the large field immediately South of Fox Farm adjacent to St. Kenelm’s Road on 25^th February 2018.

Exceptional records on 28^th February 2018 as part of a cold weather movement as Heavy snow fell across the East of the UK in freezing conditions. C30 flew South over Hunnington Fisheries at 9:20am, viewed from Church Lane. One visited the fisheries briefly as it headed South at 10:05. 45 headed West over Seth Somers Park at 11:30am with another 7 passing over in the same direction shortly afterwards. One was recorded from the Penorchard Meadow/Bogs Wood area on 1^st March 2018 (GK) and another flew over Seth Somers Park on 19^th April 2018. Up to 6 birds were at Hunnington Fisheries from 11^th March 2018 until 1^st April 2018.

21.                        Whimbrel

Rare passage migrant

One was recorded at Hunnington on 26^th April 2003 (BirdTrack)

22.                        Common Sandpiper

Uncommon passage migrant

One seen feeding along the water’s edge on the West bank of the main pool at Hunnington Fisheries on 25^th April 2017. Another single was seen there on 27^th May 2018.

23.                        Woodcock

Rare Winter visitor and passage visitor

Recorded in Uffmoor wood during 1979 and 1990

24.                        Common Snipe

Scarce Winter visitor and uncommon passage migrant

One flushed from the footpath in the field between Breach farm and Uffmoor Wood on 23^rd April 2017. Two other Spring sightings in field opposite Fox Cottage on St. Kenelm’s Road and on the Clay shoot field. One flew up from near the footpath across big field just North of the fisheries at 08:00 on 28^th February 2018 and presumably the same bird was flushed from the same area again at 10:15. Two were also feeding at the outlet stream on Breach Pool. 1 was seen in the Penorchard Meadows/Bogs Wood area on 1^st March 2018. These records came in freezing conditions with a thin layer of snow, when cold weather movements of Lapwing were noted on the patch. Hard to tell therefore whether this was the start of Spring passage or a result of the weather. A bird circled over Uffmoor fields near Uffmoor Lane on 24^th January 2019, apparently flushed by a tractor working just near the North tip of Uffmoor Wood. This represented the first January record, suggesting that a few birds may indeed be wintering in undisturbed locations. Another bird was seen circling over Bibbey’s hollow just south of the bushcraft centre and dropped into a ditch on the South bank fields on 3^rd February 2019. Singles were noted at Hunnington fisheries on 19^th and 28^th February 2019.

25.                        Black-headed Gull

Common Winter and passage migrant. Uncommon Summer visitor.

A record 60 or so were around Hunnington Fisheries on 28^th January 2018

26.                        Common Gull

Scarce Winter and passage visitor

Adult noted at Hunnington Fisheries on one date during late Summer 2017. Singles were noted over Bibbey’s Hollow on 28^th January 2019, Uffmoor Fields on 31^st January 2019 and South of Tack Farm on 19^th February 2019.

27.                        Lesser Black-backed Gull

Common Winter visitor and increasingly common summer visitor

28.                        Herring Gull

Fairly common Winter visitor and increasingly common Summer visitor

4 passed over Seth Somers Park on 28^th August 2018 and South of tack Farm on 13^th January 2019.

29.                        Great Black-backed Gull

Scarce flyover

Immature noted flying over Seth Somers Park with two Lesser Black-backed Gulls on a date early in November 2017.

30.                        Feral Pigeon

Common Resident

31.                        Stock Dove

Common resident

5 were note at Bibbey’s Hollow on 12^th February 2019. A record 8 birds were on a field just SE of the Waxlands on 1^st March 2019 after muck-spreading had taken place. Three at the Stour Walkway on 5^th March 2019 was a significant record for this site. 6 went to roost at Hunnington Fisheries on the same date, all flying in together from the North.

32.                        Wood Pigeon

Abundant resident

127 were counted in the Uffmoor Wood area on 25^th October 2013  (BirdTrack). 119 were counted in the Uffmoor Wood area on 19^th December 2013 (BirdTrack). 80 were at Bogs Wood area on 19^th December 2013 (BirdTrack). C110 were at Uffmoor Farm on 14^th January 2018. 100 were at Uffmoor Fields on 1^st April 2018. 335 were counted over Seth Somers Park on 28^th August 2018. 46 were at Seth Somers Park on 21^st October 2018. 50 were at Bibbey’s Hollow on 19^th February 2019.

33.                        Collared Dove

Uncommon resident

5 were reported from a garden in the Four Oaks area on 14^th December 2004. Resident at Breach Farm where 8 were present on 9^th January 2019. Regularly seen at Hayley Green on Manor Way just West of the Harvester restaurant island. One over Seth Somers Park on 6^th February 2018 and another single high over Hunnington Fisheries the following day. 4 were recorded in a garden in the Hayley Green area on 19^th February 2019.

34.                        Tawny Owl

Uncommon resident

Birds were heard or seen from gardens North of Uffmoor on 1^st August 2015 and 2^nd January 2019 (BirdTrack). Regularly heard at the South end of Uffmoor Wood during the breeding season in 2017. 3 males were heard between Four Oaks and Uffmoor Lane in February 2019 (GC)

35.                        Common Swift

Common Summer visitor

36.                        Hoopoe

Rare passage migrant

Recorded in hunnington on 25^th March 2003 and 30^th April 2003. One was reported by AJ Steele on 24^th April 2016 and also noted in the St. Kenelm’s Lane/Ivy Lane Paddocks area  from 21^st April until 24^th April 2016 and in Romsley on 27^th April 2016

37.                        Common Kingfisher

Fairly common Winter visitor and scarce resident

Regularly seen from late Summer and throughout the 2017/18 Winter at Seth Somers Park and Stour Walkway as far as The Cornbow bridge. Seen on the hand rail under the road bridge there on 5^th February 2018, where it was reported by locals as regular during the 2017/18 Winter. Seen at Hunnington Fisheries on 1/1/18, 16/1/18, 7/2/18 and 11/2/18

38.                        Green Woodpecker

Fairly common resident

Seen or heard across the whole patch, suggesting that several pairs may breed in the area. There appears to be at least 3 territories occupied in recent years across the area.

39.                        Great spotted Woodpecker

Common resident

Most conspicuous in late Winter and Spring with drumming and noisy disputes between rivals. 3 were in Uffmoor Wood on 23^rd November 2012, 25^th October 2013 (BirdTrack) and 19^th January 2018, and Penorchard Meadows/bogs Wood area on 4^th April 2018, 28^th April 2018 and 28^th January 2019 (GK), St. kenelm’s Church on 19^th January 2018, Hunnington Fisheries on 3^rd February 2019 and Breach Farm on 1^st March 2019.

40.                        Lesser Spotted Woodpecker

Scarce Winter visitor and passage visitor

Reported from Uffmoor Wood in 1967, Hunnington 1989, Bibbeys Hollow 1998 (Walton hill 1992, 1^st January 2008 (BirdTrack), 18^th December 2012, 8^th January 2013. Clent Hills record in 2003)

One was seen and heard as it moved South along the county border on the butterfly Field on 13^th February 2017. It remained at the South end of Bibbeys Dingle for around half an hour, singing. The bird could not be relocated and was assumed to have continued south towards Romsley.

41.                        Common Kestrel

Common Winter visitor and uncommon resident

42.                        Hobby

Rare Summer visitor and scarce passage migrant

43.                        Peregrine Falcon

Scarce winter visitor and rare Summer visitor

44.                        Rose-ringed Parakeet

Rare visitor but numbers increasing regionally

A male was seen in a Hunnington garden from 7^th November till 9^th November 2008.

45.                        Magpie

Very common resident

A record 21 were were recorded in the Uffmoor wood area on 9^th December 200-7 (BirdTrack). 17 were near Breach farm on 1^st January 2018. 18 were at Hunnington Fisheries and 19 were at Uffmoor Farm on 28^th January 2018. 15 were in the Penorchard Meadows/ bogs wood area on 25^th march 2018 (GK). 12 were around Breach Farm on 9^th January 2019. 10 were at Uffmoor Fields, 11 near Breach Farm on 20^th January 2019. 13 were at Hunnington Fisheries on 26^th January 2019. 12 were in the Penorchard/Bogs Wood area on 26^th February 2019 (GK)

46.                        Eurasian Jay

Common resident

6 were in the Penorchard Meadows/Bogs wood area on 19^th November 2013 (BirdTrack) and also on 12^th and 14^th January 2018 (CM). 6 were noted on the West Midlands side of the butterfly field on 25^th February 2018. Numbers rose in Seth Somers Park during February 2019, with 5 recorded there on the 12^th before 7 were seen together in the South section of the park on 1^st March 2019 – a record for this site.

47.                        Jackdaw

Common resident

160 were recorded in the Uffmoor Wood area on 19^th November 2013 (BirdTrack). 250 passed over St. Margaret’s Meadow at dawn on 24^th February 2018. 75 were counted north of tack Farm on 6^th May 2018. 175 were in a field adjacent to Bromsgrove Road near Breach Farm on 11^th February 2018 at dawn. 40 were at Bibbey’s Hollow on 26^th January 2019. 50 were on a field that had recently had muck spread over it, just South east of The Waxlands on 1^st March 2019. 150 gathered just East of Hunnington Fisheries on 5^th March 2019, before heading North/North West over tack Farm area at dusk.

48.                        Rook

Uncommon to fairly common Winter visitor. Once bred but now an uncommon Summer visitor

Noted at st. Kenelm’s 19^th January 2014 – Greg Evans, Hayley green 9^th October 2014 – Steve Davies and 1^st November 2016 – Paul Lapworth.

40 were noted in the Uffmoor Wood area on 25^th October 2013 when 2 were also recorded at Bogs Wood (BirdTrack). 3 were at Uffmoor Wood on 19^th November 2013 and 2 were there on 1^st November 2016 (BirdTrack). 4 were in the Hayley Green area on 8^th November 2013 with 2 there on 9^th October 2014. 10 were at Hunnington Fisheries on 19^th February 2017. One was seen over Uffmoor Fields on 21^st February 2018. One was seen near Tack Farm on 11^th March 2018. 5 were at Bibbey’s Dingle on 20^th January 2019. 4 were at Hunnington Fisheries on 13^th January 2019. 8 were at The waxlands on 26^th January 2019 with 3 noted there on 15^th February 2019 and 5 on 20^th February 2019. A large flock of 30 appeared in fields along St. Kenelm’s Lane near Fieldhouse Lane on 26^th January 2019 with 10 there on 15^th February 2019 and 18 on 27^th February 2019. 2 were mobbing crows at Hunnington Fisheries on 19^th February 2019. 2 were near Tack Farm on 27^th February 2019. One flew North over Four Oaks on 8^th March 2019.

49.                        Carrion Crow

Common resident

12 were recorded in the Uffmoor wood area on 19^th November 2013 (BirdTrack). 11 were at Bogs Wood on 25^th March 2014 (BirdTrack). 14 were noted in the Romsley/St. Kenelm’s Lane area on 1^st April 2017 (BirdTrack). 12 were in the Penorchard Meadows/ Bogs Wood area on 2^nd April 2018 (GK). A pre-roost flock of 50 were seen in fields by Uffmoor Wood, just NE of Fox Farm on 5^th March 2019 before roosting in the SE section of the wood. 30 were on a field where muck had recently been spread, just SW of The Waxlands on 16^th January 2018, with 20 still there on 19^th January 2019

50.                        Common Raven

Uncommon resident

3 were seen in the Penorchard Meadows/Bogs Wood area on 19^th April 2018 (GK). 3 were seen over Uffmoor Wood on 9^th march 2019 (GK).

51.                        Goldcrest

Common resident

4 were at Bogs Wood on 25^th march 2014. 20 were counted in Uffmoor Wood on 1^st November 2016 (BirdTrack). 3 were in the area North of Breach Farm on 6^th May 2018. 3 were noted in the South section of Seth Somers Park on 21^st October 2018.

Firecrest

Rare visitor

Recorded in Halesowen on 28^th March 1976, Clent Hills 23^rd March to 19^th April 2003 and also one singing there in 2004. One was on Walton Hill 9^th October 2016 – Birdguides)

52.                        Blue Tit

Abundant resident

53.                        Great Tit

Very common resident

54.                        Coal Tit

Common resident

5 were noted in Uffmoor Wood on 19^th November 2013 and 4^th February 2014 (BirdTrack). 3 were in the Penorchard Meadows/Bogs Wood area on 16^th January 2018 (CM). 4 were in the South section of Seth Somers Park on 5^th February 2018 with 3 recorded there on several dates between 1^st January 2018 and 6^th May 2018.

55.                        Willow Tit

Rare visitor

At Uffmoor Wood a pair were present on 27^th May 2002 and a male sang all Summer in 2005. Steve Davies reported one at Bogs Wood on 25^th March 2014 (BirdTrack). Clent Hills records – 3 pairs bred in 2003, one of which was noted on Walton Hill on 17^th March and 19^th April. 2 pairs were at Clent Hills in April 2004, a male sang there on 27^th March 2005 and one was noted on 26^th March 2010. At Walton Hill, one was present on 19^th April 2002, 26^th September 2002, 14^th April 2004. A male was noted singing on several dates between 5^th April 2005 and 5^th May 2005). A pair were at Romsley in April 2004. Noted at Halesowen in 2001)

56.                        Marsh Tit

Rare visitor

Noted at Uffmoor Wood 13^th January 2012 – Steve DaviesAutumn 2012 and on 30^th January 2014 – Neil Duggan (BirdTrack). Noted in the breeding season at Clent Hills in 2010.

Woodlark

Former local breeder and now rare visitor

(Pair Walton Hill 31^st March 1946 and 1949 and records from Clent Hills 7^th October 1950 – 7 present, in the 1954 breeding season and on 28^th August 1962)

57.                        Skylark

Scarce Winter visitor, common passage migrant and fairly common Summer resident

11 were noted in the Bogs wood area on 25^th October 2013 (BirdTrack). 7 were recorded in the West midlands area between Tack Farm and the Worcester border on 4^th March 2019.

58.                        Sand Martin

59.                        Barn Swallow

Common Summer resident

5 were noted in the Uffmoor Wood area on 22^nd July 2003 (BirdTrack). 5 were at Uffmoor Farm on 6^th May 2018. 20 passed through Hunnington Fisheries on 29^th April 2018. 4 were seen over Uffmoor Fields on 9^th June 2018.

60.                        House Martin

Common Summer resident

5 were around the Stour Walkway area on 9^th June 2018. 120 passed over Seth Somers Park on 26^th August 2018.

61.                        Long-tailed Tit

Common resident

12 were at Uffmoor Wood on 9^th December 2007. 14 were at Uffmoor Wood on 1^st february 2014 (BirdTrack). 10 were in Uffmoor Wood on 23^rd March 2014 (BirdTrack). 10 were in the South section of Seth Somers Park on 7^th January 2018. 10 were in the Penorchard Meadows/Bogs Wood area on 12^th January 2018 (CM). A party of 15 was noted in Uffmoor Wood on 19^th January 2018. 10 were in the Penorchards Meadow/ Bogs Wood area on 13^th January 2019 (CM). 15 were at Hunnington Fisheries on 22^nd January 2019, 31^st January 2019.

62.                        Yellow-browed Warbler

Very rare vagrant

One at Uffmoor Wood on January 27^th 2014 was an excellent find SCI,PCI and the bird was relocated in the wood on February 1^st and obligingly gave good views until April 21^st

63.                        Wood Warbler

Rare passage visitor. Former Summer visitor and local breeder

Recorded at Uffmoor Wood in 1990 and 1991 ( Recorded in Halesowen in 1977 and in a wood there  in 1978. 3 sang at Walton Hill in 1977 and a pair bred there in 1978. . Clent Hill records in 1985 and on 12^th May 2014 (BirdTrack))

64.                        Common Chiffchaff

Common Summer resident

One was noted in Uffmoor wood on 19^th March 2004 (Birdtrack). 8 were noted in Uffmoor Wood on 23^rd September 2013 (BirdTrack). An early bird was noted in Uffmoor Wood on 10^th March 2014 (birdTrack). The first bird noted in 2018 was on 11^th march when one was seen and heard calling as it moved along the hedgerow from Uffmoor Wood to Breach Pool. 6 were noted in the Penorchard Meadows/bogs Wood area on 21^st april 2016 (GK) and 5 were there on 11^th April 2018 (GK). 10 were recorded in the South section of Seth somers Park on 25^th august 2018. An early bird was singing from the South section of Seth Somers Park from 2^nd March 2019, after an exceptionally warm period that brought early migrants to the UK.

65.                        Willow Warbler

Common passage migrant and fairly common Summer resident

5 were recorded in the Penorchard Meadows/ Bogs Wood area on 21^st April 2018. 2 were noted in the South section of Seth Somers Park on 25^th august 2018

66.                        Blackcap

Uncommon Winter visitor and common Summer resident

Birds were seen at uffmoor wood and the Bogs Wood area on 19^th April 2014 (BirdTrack). 6 were noted in the St. Kenelm’s Lane area on 10^th September 2016 (BirdTrack). One was recorded during a spell of snow in a garden on Bromsgrove Road on 19^th march 2018. One was noted in the Penorchard Meadows/bogs Wood area on 17^th april 2018 (GK).  6 were recorded in the South section of Seth Somers Park on 19^th April 2018, with 5 there on 6^th May 2018. 4 were recorded in the Penorchard Meadows/ Bogs Wood area on 21^st april 2018 (GK). One was seen in a garden at Hayley Green on 30^th January 2019 and again on 1^st February 2019 (BirdTrack).

67.                        Garden Warbler

Scarce passage migrant and Summer resident

(Noted in Halesowen in 2009. 4 were at Walton Hill in 2010)

5 were recorded at Penorchard Nature Reserve on 11^th May 2017. Singles were noted in the Penorchard Meadows/Bogs Wood area on 4^th May 2018 and 5^th May 2018 (GK).

68.                        Lesser Whitethroat

Scarce passage visitor. Rare Summer resident

One was at Penorchard Nature Reserve on 11^th May 2017 (BirdTrack), and in the Penorchard Meadows/ Bogs Wood area on 7^th May 2018. Caring hedge management on Bibbey’s farmland brought singing males to the area in 2017 and 2018.

69.                        Common Whitethroat

Common passage migrant and uncommon Summer visitor

An early bird was at Penorchard Meadows/Bogs Wood on 21^st April 2018 (GK).3 were noted in the Penorchard Meadows/ Bogs Wood area on 5^th May 2018 and One was at Uffmoor Farm and 2 at Hunnington Fisheries the following day (CM)

70.                        Grasshopper warbler

Scarce passage migrant. Former Summer resident

2 sang at Uffmoor Wood in 1981 ( Up to 3 in Halesowen in 1967 and single singing birds there in 1976 and 1977. 5 sang at Hagley Wood in 1967 and 3 were at Romsley in 1979

Sedge Warbler

Scarce passage migrant

(One noted in a Halesowen hedgerow from 17^th July to 30^th July 2000)

71.                        Eurasian Nuthatch

Fairly common resident

5 were in the South section of Seth Somers Park on 28^th August 2018, with 4 there on 16^th February 2019.

72.                        Eurasian Treecreeper

Uncommon resident

2 were in the SW section of Uffmoor Wood on 11^th January 2018 and at Hunnington fisheries on 26^th January 2019.

73.                        Wren

Very common resident

74.                        Common Starling

Fairly common resident

210 were in Uffmoor wood area on 23^rd September 2013, with 100 there on 25^th October 2013 (BirdTrack). 250 were recorded in the Uffmoor Fields area on 8^th November 2013. 30 were at Hayley Green on 25^th October 2013 with 20 there on 20^th March 2014, 60 there on 9^th October 2014 and 20 on 5^th January 2015 (BirdTrack). 20 were at bibbey’s Hollow on 25^th april 2017 (CM). 25 were at Uffmoor Fields on 14^th January 2018. 60 were in the Penorchard Meadows/Bogs Wood area on 25^th march 2018, with 32 there on 7^th april 2018 and again on 11^th february 2019 (GK). 30 were in the Four Oaks area on 24^th January 2019. 48 were in a garden in the Hayley green area on 26^th January 2019. 110 were at Romsley on 26^th January 2019 with 50 still there on 28^th February 2019.

75.                        Ring Ouzel

Dipper

Former scarce local resident and breeder, now absent

(Noted at The Leasowes in the 1960’s and 1970’s and in Halesowen December 1980 and March 1981. Pair bred at Illey in 1978)

76.                        Blackbird

Very common resident

77.                        Fieldfare

Common Winter visitor

15 were at Penorchard Meadows on 1^st November 2011 (BirdTrack). 50 were at Hunnington Fisheries on 11^th February 2018. 10 were noted in the Penorchard Meadow/ Bogs Wood area on 21^st March 2018 (GK). 100 were at Hunnington Fisheries on 26^th January 2019 with 75 still in the area on 8^th March 2019. . Between 25 and 30 were noted at bibbey’s Hollow from 26^th January 2019 until 12^th february 2019. 50 passed North West over the butterfly field on 27^th february 2019, joining others to form an impressive flock of 95 just South of Tack Farm.

78.                        Song Thrush

Fairly common resident

79.                        Redwing

Common winter visitor

30 were at Uffmoor Wood on 9^th December 2007 (BirdTrack) 88 were at Bogs Wood on 19^th December 2013 and also 26 in the Uffmoor Wood area and 34 at Hayley Green on the same day (BirdTrack). 41 were at Bibbey’s Hollow on 1^st January 2018, with 50 there on 11^th January 2018, rising to 70 by 24^th February 2018. 40 were at Hunnington Fisheries on 1^st January 2018, with 50 there on 24^th march 2018.6 were still present on 28^th March 2018 (GK). 50 were in the Penorchard Meadows/Bogs Wood area on 14^th January 2018 (CM), with 20 there on 14^th March 2018 (GK), rising to 60 on 21^st March 2018 (GK) and an impressive 100 on 25^th March 2018 (GK). 50 remained in the area on 2^nd April 2018 (GK). The first bird returned here on 21^st October 2018, with the last bird being seen on 18^th April 2018 (GK). 30 were at Uffmoor Farm on 19^th January 2018. 70 were North of Breach farm on 21^st february 2018. 51 were noted over Seth Somers Park on 21^st October 2018. 20 were in a garden in the Hayley Green area on 1^st January 2019 (BirdTrack). 25 were in the SE section of Uffmoor Wood on 9^th January 2019. 25 were at Bibbey’s Hollow on 26^th January 2019, rising to 80 on 30^th January 2019. 43 were by the Bushcraft Centre, West of Seth somers Park on 1^st March 2019.  30 were at hunnington fisheries on 5^th March 2019.

80.                        Mistle Thrush

Uncommon resident

Surprisingly, there have been no records of post-breeding flocks in the area. 4 were in the Penorchards Meadow/ Bogs Wood area on 12^th January 2018 (CM). 3 were at Four Oaks on 6^th February 2019.

81.                        Spotted Flycatcher

Scarce passage migrant, former Summer resident

(Bred in Halesowen in 1988. Walton Hill records – 1 or 2 in 2001, 3 on 26^th August 2002, singles on 30^th March 2003, 6^th May 2003 and late Summer 2010)

Uffmoor Wood via Glen Autumn 2018

82.                        Robin

Abundant resident

83.                        Pied Flycatcher

Rare passage migrant. Former Summer resident

Recorded at Uffmoor Wood in 1995 (Walton Hill records April/May 1977 and Spring 1998, nested in the Halesowen/Romsley area  in 1986, noted at Halesowen on 15^th April 2001. Pairs noted near Clent in 1951)

84.                        Common nightingale

Former summer resident now very rare passage migrant

Recorded at Uffmoor in 1945

85.                        Black Redstart

Rare passage migrant

(Walton Hill records – a male on 15^th October 1994 and an immature male on 24/25^th March 1006.)

One recorded on a manure heap at Highcroft Farm on 28^th March 2011.

86.                        Common Redstart

Rare passage migrant, former local Summer resident

Recorded at Uffmoor Wood in 1991. (Halesowen garden records 14^th September 1975 – male, 28^th August 1977 and 19^th September 1985. 10 at Romsley on 17^th August 1997, 3 on Walton Hill 27^th August 2013, bred at Clent 1989)

Whinchat

Rare passage migrant

(Recorded at Halesowen  in 1974, Walton Hill records on 23^rd April 1998 -2 , 22^nd April 2000 and again in the Autumn, with Greg Evans noting one there on 30^th September 2014. A male was at St. Kenelm’s Pass n 18^th April 2010 and a female 21^st April 2010)

87.                        European Stonechat

Uncommon passage migrant

Two males were at Hunnington Fisheries on 18^th February 2017, with a female at the South Western Corner of the Clay Shoot field, the following day and a pair were seen later in the month at Quarry Lane. A female was found near the entrance to Tack farm on 20^th February 2019.

88.                        Northern Wheatear

Fairly common passage migrant

One was in the Penorchard Meadows/ St. Kenelm’s area on 24^th March 2002 (BirdTrack). A male was in the Paddock at the North end of The Waxlands on 15^th April 2018. One was in the Penorchard Meadows/bogs Wood area (GK) on 22^nd April 2018 with 3 females and a male at The Waxlands (CM), 2 at Breach Farm and one near Breach Pool on the same day (GK/CM). 2 were in the St. Kenelm’s area on 19^th April 2018 (GK).

89.                        Dunnock

Fairly common resident

90.                        House Sparrow

Fairly common resident

Tree Sparrow

Rare visitor. Former local resident

(50 at Halesowen in 1977. A Lutley Wedge nestbox scheme attracted pairs between 2000 and 2003. Recorded at Clent Hills on 24^th March 2002 (BirdTrack))

91.                        Yellow Wagtail

Scarce passage migrant

(One in Romsley April 2013)

A male was in the South Paddock at The Waxlands on 23^rd April 2017 followed by a pair at Hunnington fisheries on 25^th April 2017.

92.                        Grey Wagtail

Uncommon resident

93.                        Pied wagtail

Common Winter visitor and fairly common resident

451 were counted going to roost in Halesowen town centre on 7^th January 2018, but the roost did not reform over the 2018/19 Winter. 15 were at Bibbey’s Hollow on 12^th January 2018. 7 were in the Penorchard Meadows/ Bogs Wood area on 16^th January 2018. 12 were at Uffmoor farm on 12^th February 2019.

Tree Pipit

Scarce passage migrant. Former local Summer resident

(Walton Hill records – singing 2001, noted 19^th June 2003, 25/26^th May 2012 and 27^th August 2013. A singing male on Clent hills in 2002)

94.                        Meadow Pipit

Common winter visitor and passage migrant

21 were noted near Uffmoor wood on 19^th December 2013 (BirdTrack). A regular Winter flock forms in the uffmoor fields/ Tack farm/ Uffmoor farm area each year. 35 were at Uffmoor Fields on 19^th January 2018, with regular counts of 30+ there until 25^th February 2018. 20 were at Tack farm track on 9^th April 2018. The last 4 birds were noted there on 25^th march 2018 (GK). 31 were at Tack farm Track on 9^th January 2019, 37 on 22^nd January 2019 and 23 there on 31^st January 2019. Numbers appeared steady until a record 53 were counted as they moved together slowly towards Tack farm. This rare opportunity to take a full count, suggests that most records are understated, as the flock tends to split, with many birds remaining spread on the ground. 30 were present on 28^th February 2019, after which numbers appeared to fall. 5 were there on 5^th March 2019. 26 were just North of Walton Hill on 13^th January 2019. 8 at Hunnington Fisheries on 31^st January 2019 was notable for this site.

30+ still present in the fields just West of Quarry Lane on 28^th February 2018.

95.                        Brambling

Rare Winter visitor and passage migrant

50 at Bibbey’s hollow on 5^th March 1998 and 5 there on 5^th November 1999. A single was noted in the Bogs Wood area on 22^nd March 2002 (BirdTrack). ( Walton Hill records were 12 West overhead on 6^th October 1996, 2 on 9^th October 2004, singles on 14^th October 2005, 31^st October 2005 and 14^th April 2006. Up to 50 were at Halesowen in December 1976, up to 6 in a garden there from January to April 2000 and 2 there on 20^th march 2008. 175 were at Clent on 9^th April 1996)

96.                        Chaffinch

Fairly common resident

18 were reported from a garden in the Four Oaks area on 8^th December 2004 (BirdTrack). 9 were noted in the Bogs Wood area on 19^th December 2013 and 10 were there on 14^th and 28^th January 2018 (CM) with 9 present on 2^nd April 2018 (GK). 10 were at bibbey’s Hollow on 30^th january 2018. 14 passed over Seth Somers Park on 21^st October 2018. 12 were feeding together in the paddock near the horse sanctuary stables at Bibbey’s Hollow on 1^st March 2019.

97.                        Hawfinch

Rare Winter visitor. Former local resident

A pair nested at Clent in 1949. One was at Clent Hills on 2^nd March 1952. A pair were at Walton Hill on 14^th April 1951

For the first time in at least 50 years there was an Autumn irruption of Hawfinches into the UK. This paved the way for an incredible build-up of numbers at Seth Somers Park. On the 4^th February 2018 a large starling sized bird with a prominent chestnut head pattern was seen at distance on the top of a hawthorn in the paddocks on the southern edge of seth Somers park, viewed from the path that runs beside the Stour towards Bibbey’s Hollow. Further investigation revealed 10 Hawfinch resting in tree and hedge tops along the Southern hedge in the south section of Seth Somers Park (CM). On the 6^th February numbers 13 were noted there (CM). 65 were recorded on 9^th February 2018 (BirdTrack), 42 on 10^th February 2018 (BirdTrack). 60 were seen in two flocks flying over Bibbey’s Hollow from Seth Somers Park into Worcestershire towards Uffmoor wood. Numbers then appeared to fall with at Seth Somers Park on 21^st February 2018 (CM), 10 on 24^th February 2019, 30 on 26^th January 2018 (BirdGuides), 24 on 27^th february 2018 (BirdGuides)22 on 28^th February. Two birds remained in the area until 4^th April 2018, when they were seen ground feeding beneath Beech Trees at seth Somers Park, but an apparently mobile flock must have remained in the area throughout this period with 3 on 27^th March (BirdGuides), 20 on 29^th March and 5+ at The Grange by Bromsgrove Road on 1^st April 2018 (CM). There were no sign of any birds on site after a thorough search on 5^th April 2018 (CM).

98.                        Bullfinch

Common Winter visitor and fairly common resident

5 were recorded at Penorchard Meadows on 23^rd September 2013 when 5 were also noted at Uffmoor Wood. The latter site held impressive numbers with 7 there on 19^th November 2013 and 13 on 19^th December 2013(BirdTrack). 8 were at Bogs Wood on 19^th December 2013 (BirdTrack). 9 were at Hayley Green on 25^th January 2014. 10 were in the Penorchard Meadows/ Bogs Wood area on 14^th January 2018, with 7 there on 21^st October 2018 (GK). 3 were at Bibbey’s Hollow on 24^th february 2018. 6 were in the St. Kenelm’s/ Ivy Lane area on 28^th february 2018. 4 were in the South section of Seth somers Park on 28^th February 2018, 22^nd January 2019 and 2^nd March 2019. 5 were at Hunnington Fisheries on 11^th february 2018 with 6 seen there on 8^th March 2019. 8 were recorded North of Breach Farm on 9^th January 2019.

99.                        Greenfinch

Uncommon resident

6 were at Bogs Wood on 25^th March 2014. 5 were recorded along  St Kenelm’s Lane on 24^th april 2016 (birdTrack). 6 were in the Penorchard Meadows/ Bogs Wood area on 12^th January 2018. 5 were at breach farm on 21^st february 2018. 12 were noted between Tack farm and Bibbey’s Hollow in West midlands county on 25^th august 2018. 8 were reported from a garden in the Hayley green area on 1^st January 2019 with 5 there on 30^th and 31^st (BirdTrack). 7 were at Uffmoor fields on 26^th January 2019.

100.                   Linnet

Uncommon Winter visitor, passage visitor and Summer resident

6 were at Uffmoor Farm on 28^th January 2018. 7 were in the Penorchard Meadows/ Bogs Wood area on 25^th March 2018 (GK) with 6 there on 7^th April 2018 (GK) and 8 on 11^th april 2018 (GK) and 7 on 18^th April 2018 (GK). 12 were at Bibbey’s Hollow on 25^th august 2018. A fine demonstration of wildlife-friendly farming was provided when 50 Linnet were recorded on 7^th January 2018 on a bird seed field at Four Oaks, smashing the recent records for this species in the area.

Twite

Extremely rare Winter and passage visitor

(One near Halesowen in 1973)

101.                   Lesser Redpoll

Common Winter visitor and passage migrant in variable numbers. Probable former resident

11 were at Bogs Wood on 19^th December 2013 (BirdTrack). 50 were recorded in the bogs Wood/Uffmoor wood area on 8^th march 2015 (BirdTrack) 12 were in the Penorchard Meadows/Bogs Wood area on 25^th March 2018 (GK) with 50 there on 18^th April 2018, 15 on 21^st (GK). Birds were scarcer in 2019, making a count of 12 on 9^th March 2019 (GK) significant.

102.                   Common crossbill

Rare visitor

Two at Uffmoor Wood on 26^th January 2012 (Regularly recorded at Clent Hills. Walton hill records – 14 South overhead on 2^nd November 1982, one on 15^th April 2006, one on 2^nd September 2008. C15 were at Romsley on 2^nd August 1962.)

A single flew over the North end of Walton hill on 26^th November 2016 and 6 were seen over the same area on 11^th December 2016.

103.                   Goldfinch

Very common winter visitor and common resident

30 were around The alders between Tack farm and bibbey’s Hollow and also in the Penorchard Meadows/Bogs wood area (CM) on 12^th January 2018. 30 were in the South section of Seth somers Park on 14^th January 2018 with 20 on 19^th January 2018, 50 on 10^th february 2018 (BirdTrack), 20 on 11^th February 2018, 25 on 28^th february 2018. Numbers built again at this site in late Summer with 20 there on 28^th august 2018. 20 were at Bibbey’s Hollow on 11^th february 2018, 20^th January 2018, 11^th February 2018. 23 were present on 26^th January 2019, rising to 30 by 31^st January and 55 on 12^th February 2019. Numbers fell sharply after this date.  30 were at Hunnington Fisheries on 11^th february 2018. 50 were North of Breach Farm on 21^st february 2018. 23 were at Uffmoor fields on 18^th march 2018 (GK) with 25 there on 26^th January 2019 (CM). 20 were at Bibbey’s Dingle on 9^th January 2019. 24 were in a garden in the Hayley green area on 10^th January 2019 (BirdTrack). 30 were in the Penorchard Meadows/ Bogs Wood area on 13^th January 2019 (GK). 30 were between tack farm and the butterfly field on 20^th January 2019. 20 were at st. Kenelm.s church on 27^th february 2019.

104.                   Siskin

Common Winter visitor and passage migrant in variable numbers.

60 were in the SW section of Uffmoor wood on 28^th January 2018. 25 were in the south section of Seth Somers Park on 5^th February 2018. 18 were in the North section of seth somers Park on 21^st february 2018. 100 were in the Penorchards Meadow/Bogs Wood area 0n 17^th April 2018, with 30 there on the following day. Numbers were far lower in 2019 with 15 in the Penorchard Meadows/ Bogs Wood area on 13^th January (CM) and 24^th January (GK) being significant.

Corn Bunting

Rare Winter visitor. Probable former resident

(One at Walton Hill in 1970, one sang at Clent in 1971 and also at Halesowen in 1979)

105.                   Yellowhammer

Uncommon resident

3 were recorded in the uffmoor wood area on 25^th October 2013 (BirdTrack). A roost along tack farm track held significant numbers in the late winter of 2017 with a maximum of 19 birds recorded on 3^rd February 2017. Sadly no similar sized parties have been recorded since. 3 were at Bibbey’s Hollow on 11^th march 2018 and 1^st april 2018, with a remarkable 6 birds recorded there on 25^th august 2018. A flock of 6 were in a hedgerow just North of Tack Farm on 28^th January 2019. 4 were noted South of Tack Farm inside the west midlands county border on 27^th february 2019.

106.                   Reed Bunting

Scarce passage visitor. Rare Summer resident

A pair were at Hunnington fisheries on 25^th March 2017 with the male staying until 11^th april 2017. A single bird flew over the South bank at seth Somers park on 21^st October 2018. The female was last seen on 14^th April 2018 (GK), with the male staying until 6^th May 2018 (CM). A female was seen with Meadow Pipits, Skylarks and Yellowhammer at the South end of the Clay Pigeon shoot field from 4^th-8^th March 2019 (CM).

A pair were at Hunnington fisheries on 25^th March 2017 with the male staying until 11^th april 2017. A single bird flew over the South bank at seth Somers park on 21^st October 2018. The female was last seen on 14^th April 2018 (GK), with the male staying until 6^th May 2018 (CM). A female was seen with Meadow Pipits, Skylarks and Yellowhammer at the South end of the Clay Pigeon shoot field from 4^th-8^th March 2019 (CM).

107.                   Pine Bunting

Very rare vagrant

One was seen at Bibbey’s Hollow from 6^th February 1996 until 20^th February 1996