Staffordshire

• Aqualate Mere National Nature Reserve

  InformationSatellite View
  Aqualate Mere NNR is situated 3km to the east of Newport, at the heart of a private estate, centred on Aqualate Mere - the largest natural lake in the West Midlands. Extensive reed beds surround this NNR which supports wildfowl throughout the year. Marsh and Willows Tits can be found feeding new the hide on the east shore…

• Belvide Reservoir

  Satellite View
  Situated near Gailey, 7 miles NW of Wolverhampton, the reservoir has 3 hides on the south bank. It is good all year round, but spring/autumn passage and winter usually throw up wader and waterfowl rarities. Access to the hides is by permit only, available from the West Midlands Bird Club.

• Berry Hill

  Satellite View
  Situated on high ground in the middle of the Stoke-on-Trent conurbation, the horse paddocks and fields are particularly good for spring and autumn passage migrants such as ring-ouzel, redstart, whinchat, wheatear and black redstart…

• Blithfield Reservoir

  Satellite View
  Situated just north of Rugeley, near Abbots Bromley. The largest reservoir in Staffordshire, this site regularly attracts passage waders and wintering duck, with some rarities each year. Best in autumn and winter. The road causeway over the reservoir is good for casual observations, but hides and muddy bays are situated at the NW end, furthest from the dam wall. Access to the latter is by permit only, available from the West Midlands Bird Club.

• Cannock Chase

  Satellite View
  Situated in a large area north of Cannock. A large area of wood and heath-land, notable for nightjars in the summer, especially near the Katyn Memorial. Also holds a few woodlark, hobby in summer, great grey shrike in winter, goshawk, lesser-spotted woodpecker, and the usual woodland birds. Best in early morning or evening - avoid the large crowds during summer daytime.

• Chasewater Reservoir

  Satellite View
  Situated near Brownhills, this is a prime spot for Iceland and Glaucous gulls in the large winter roost. Park at the car park at the southern end and scope the roost. Also interesting for passage migrants and wintering waterfowl, especially in the areas to the north which are cut off from the water sports taking place on the main reservoir.

• Coombes Valley Nature Reserve

  Satellite View
  Owned by the RSPB, but accessible by anyone, this is a great site for the bird lover rather than twitcher. The best time to visit is late spring/early summer, when you are almost certain to see pied flycatcher, redstart and wood warbler. Also present are lesser spotted woodpeckers, dippers and kingfishers.

• Middleton Lakes Nature Reserve

  InformationSatellite View
  Opened in 2011, this reserve near Tamworth on the east of the county, borders Warwickshire and was previously a working quarry. New marshland habitat is being developed but the site is already attractive to waders, waterfowl and marshland dwellers. Recent rarities include Least Sandpiper, Broad-billed Sandpiper and Glossy Ibis…

• North Staffordshire Moorlands

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  As with most moor-land, it is difficult to predict where to find some birds, but a summer walk could reveal ring ousel, hen harrier and short-eared owl. The river Dane between Danebridge and Gradbach is good for dippers, Knotbury for twite in the summer, and red grouse can be found on most areas with heather (e.g. The Roaches and Lum Edge). Swallow Moss was the place to go for black grouse, with a specially built hide overlooking the lek, but virtually no birds were present in 1999, and it may become extinct in Staffordshire. Rudyard Lake and Tittesworth Reservoir are also worth investigating for water and waterside birds. The latter has a conservation area with hides.

• Whitemore Haye

  There are several gravel pits in this area, some still being worked, so this is an excellent area to look for passage waders. The first pit on the left as you come down the access road is particularly worth investigating. Look too for corn buntings and tree sparrows.

• Nick Pomiankowski

  | n.pomiankowski@fin.keele.ac.uk

• Nick Pomiankowski

  22 The Villas, West End, Stoke ST4 5AQ

  staffs-recorder@westmidlandbirdclub.org.uk

  01782 849682

• Number of bird species: 313

• The New Birds of the West Midlands

  | (covering Staffordshire, Warwickshire, Worcestershire, and the former West Midlands County) | By Graham Harrison & Janet Harrison | West Midlands Bird Club | 2005 | 496 pages, colour photos, line drawings, maps | ISBN: 9780950788128 Buy this book from NHBS.com

• Where to Watch Birds in West Midlands

  | By F Gribble, G Harrison, H Griffiths, J Winsper & S Coney | Christopher Helm | 2007 | Paperback | 343 pages, 53 maps, 24 line drawings | ISBN: 9780713664195 Buy this book from NHBS.com

• Brewood Ringers

  Twitter Feed
  Most of our ringing is done in the UK at regular sites including the Chillington Estate (all year), Belvide Reservoir (late summer), Wm Wheat & Son (All Year), Lower Drayton Farm (all year) and Marsh Lane Reserve (all year). We are also fortunate enough to be able to hold ringing sessions on Cannock Chase.

• Chasewater Wildlife Group

  Website
  Chasewater Country Park is situated in the heart of the Forest of Mercia, on the southern edge of Staffordshire and immediately north of the West Midland conurbation. It lies on the 150 m contour 3 miles south of the Iron-Age hillfort of Castle Ring, which at 244m is the highest point on Cannock Chase. The Country Park covers 300 ha of which the lake and dam make up 93h and Jeffrey`s Swag 10ha. The Norton Bog restoration area, which includes the Slurry Pool (5ha), is additional to the Country Park

• RSPB Burton & South Derbyshire Local group

  Our aim is to support the RSPB in their conservation work. and to introduce members of the public to all aspects of Flora and Fauna. We are a friendly group and do not have any membership fees. Do feel free to join us on our field trips and indoor meetings.

• RSPB Lichfield & District Local Group

  Webpage
  The group's aim is to support actively the work of the RSPB in the local community and to involve RSPB members and the wider public in the Society's conservation, public affairs, education, fundraising and other activities. We have regular monthly indoor meetings locally throughout the year and have occasional day-trips to local nature reserves.

• RSPB North Staffs Local Group

  Webpage
  Local RSPB members group. Details of programme of events and places to birdwatch in North Staffordshire…

• RSPB South West Staffordshire Local Group

  Webpage
  This is the website of the South West Staffordshire Local Group. RSPB local groups are a great way to meet friendly, like-minded people in your area while learning more about birds and wildlife.

• SWT Leek Group

  Website
  Nature Reserves in Staffordshire Moorlands - In late 1999 the Trust purchased 160 acres at Cotton Dell, near Oakamoor; further details in future leaflets and on this web-site. At Coombes Valley nature reserve near Leek the Trust has an agreement over 60 acres of the 260 acre total. The whole site is managed by the RSPB. The Trust also has an agreement over nature reserves at Longsdon Woods, Spring Cottage and Ward's Quarry. Access by permit only…

• Staffordshire Wildlife Trust

  Website
  The Staffordshire Wildlife Trust was founded in 1969 to conserve wildlife, wildlife habitats and sites of geological importance in Staffordshire. It aims to promote the conservation of the natural environment for the public benefit and to provide opportunities for people to enjoy and to learn about it

• WMBC Stafford

  Webpage
  The Staffordshire research programme includes the important Staffordshire Ecological Records project. Integral to this project is the Online Bird Atlas.

• West Midland Bird Club

  Website
  The West Midland Bird Club offers the widest range of indoor and field meetings for its members. Probably more than any other provincial bird club in the whole of the UK.

Abbreviations Key

• LNR Berryhill Fields

  InformationSatellite View
  Berryhill Fields is 68 hectares of grassland in the heart of Stoke-on-Trent, between the housing estates of Bentilee & Berryhill and the town of Fenton, Staffordshire. It is a local nature reserve. The main beneficiaries of this diversity are the birds and mammals. Five species of warbler, including the uncommon grasshopper warbler, breed alongside nationally threatened farmland species such as grey partridge, snipe and skylark. Skylarks epitomise the Fields, delivering their songs even on cold, windy winter days with the freedom that the Fields offer.

• NNR Aqualate Mere

  InformationSatellite View
  Aqualate Mere NNR, managed by Natural England, is situated 3km to the east of Newport, at the heart of a private estate, centred on Aqualate Mere - the largest natural lake in the West Midlands. Extensive reed beds surround this NNR which supports wildfowl throughout the year. Marsh and Willows Tits can be found feeding new the hide on the east shore…

• National Forest: Branston Water Park

  Information PDFSatellite View
  Branston Water Park is a premier wildlife site in East Staffordshire. Located just outside Burton off the A38 Branston Water Park was originally an open cast gravel pit and is now home to many species of plant and animal, both common and nationally rare…

• RSPB Coombes Valley

  WebpageSatellite View
  This is a delightful oak woodland to walk through – especially in spring and early summer when lots of migrating birds come to breed at the reserve. Birds you may see on the steep valley sides include flycatchers, redstarts and wood warblers. There are a wide variety of butterflies to spot too.

• RSPB Middleton Lakes

  WebpageSatellite View
  Since we acquired the site in 2007, we've worked hard to make sure the final restoration benefits birds, wildlife and visitors. The area is already regionally important for overwintering wildfowl such as pochard, tufted ducks and smew. Middleton Lakes will become the most important site for breeding waders in the Midlands. The lakes, reedbeds, meadows and woodlands make it one of the best birdwatching sites in the area.

• SWT Croxall Lakes

  WebpageSatellite View
  Previously quarried for sand and gravel, Croxall Lakes now provides a home for a wide range of wintering and breeding birds.

• SWT Doxey Marshes

  WebpageSatellite View
  A wetland oasis near the centre of Stafford and one of the country's best bird watching sites

• SWT Highgate Common

  WebpageSatellite View
  An ancient lowland heath buzzing with rare wildlife

• SWT Loynton Moss

  WebpageSatellite View
  Discover a surprise around every corner in a unique landscape formed by retreating ice sheets at the end of the last age, 10,000 years ago. Great for wetland birds.

• SWT The Roaches

  WebpageSatellite View
  Breathtaking views, amazing wildlife - the gateway to Staffordshire’s Peak District good for Red Grouse, Curlew, Peregrine Falcon, Meadow Pipit and Green Hairstreak butterflies.

• WMBC Blithfiled Reservoir

  WebpageSatellite View
  Blithfield Reservoir is a large expanse of water covering some 324 ha and owned by South Staffordshire Water plc who lease the right to birdwatch at the site to the West Midland Bird Club. A Bird Club Management Team act in an advisory capacity in connection to the birding and conservation administration of the site. Blithfield is regarded as one of the region's best bird-watching sites that provides interest year round. The reservoir and much of the surrounding woodland is designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) under the stewardship of Natural England.

• Staffordshire Birding

  Bird News & Sightings
  Welcome to Staffordshire Birding. This blog will be updated with Staffordshire bird news on a daily basis

• Staffs Bird News

  @Staffsbirdnews
  Run in conjunction with our Staffs Bird News Blog providing rare/scarce news as it happens from around Staffordshire.

• Tame Valley Birding

  Sightings
  Sightings from in and around the Middle Tame Valley on the Warwickshire/Staffordshire Border.

• WMBC-Staffs

  Mailing Group
  This mailing list is for discussion of birds and birding in the English county of Staffordshire, especially notable sightings and site reports, and the activities there, of the West Midland Bird Club (WMBC):

Click on WAND to see Fatbirder’s Trip Report Repository…

• Abbot's Haye

  Accommodation
  Abbot's Haye is a 7 bedroom country house with Tudor origins, standing in 6 acres of Staffordshire countryside, with 2 acres of mature gardens, where guests may relax or play. We are situated 4 miles from Alton Towers, 12 miles from the Potteries and the Peak District. Abbot's Haye has 4 en suite family rooms and 1 en suite double room available. Ample off-road parking is provided.

• White Hart

  Accommodation
  A warm and welcoming traditional village pub, in the centre of the historic village of Alton, owned by the local community.You can stay here in our comfortable Bed and Breakfast accommodation only a mile away from Alton Towers.

• Birds of Keele University Arboretum

  Webpage
  The success of this page relies on feedback from you. Please pass on anything that you feel others might like to hear about by E-Mail or by post to Geography, Geology & the Environment, William Smith Building.

• Enjoy Chasewater

  Webpage
  Chasewater was created in the late 18th century as a reservoir feed for the Wyrley and Essington Canal system. The remaining land was further molded through the years of coal mining that followed the construction of the reservoir. When coal mining ceased in the 1960's, the site became wasteland, with pitheads and workings from local coalmines.

• Gulls in the West Midlands Region

  Website
  This is a personal website which presents data and images relating to gulls in the West Midlands Region (the counties of Staffordshire, Warwickshire, Worcestershire and the metropolitan county of the West Midlands).

• Riverside Woodcraft Bird Tables

  Website
  Manufacturer of Bird Table Products and Wildlife supplies. Riverside Woodcraft is a family run Garden, Bird, and Wildlife company operating from our premises in Tamworth, Staffordshire. We manufacture quality wooden garden products from our own workshop and to our own designs. We distribute our exclusive range of Bird Tables, Nest Boxes, Hedgehog Houses and other similar items to trade and public.

• Staffordshire Birding

  Website
  Welcome to Staffordshire Birding we hope to cover all news on a daily bases from Drayton Bassett in the south to the Moorlands in the north. This site will be for postings of bird news only with no gossip, questions or discussion threads

• Nick Smith - Birding with the Clayheads

  BLOG
  A blog showing photos from my trips around Staffordhire and further a field…

• Paul Shenton - Birding for Fun

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  Last updated May 2016 - 40 year old birder who just loves birding.I have been at it since the age of 10 but with a few years break due to beer and then my own nippers I don't have my own patch as i like to go where ever my mood takes me. Tittersworth Rudyard & Norh Staffs Moors are my most regular Staffordshire spots.

• Steve Nuttall - Belvide Birding

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  Belvide Reservoir is a 180 acre canal feeder situated in south west Staffordshire. A total of 253 species have been recorded on the reserve. I've been birding Belvide since 1984 and have personally recorded 240 species with over 7600 visits made. Belvide is like a drug to me and I can honestly say I'm addicted.

• Steve Seal - Notebook from Rudyard

  BLOG
  Rudyard Lake lies on the edge of the North Staffordshire moors and covers some 168 acres and is over 2 miles long. It is owned by the Canal & river Trust built in 1799 as a canal feeder. The area is abundant in wildlife and due to Rudyard still feeding the canal systems the water levels do vary , and many wading and migrating birds can be seen on the mud flats at the northern end. Rudyard holds a very impressive list of bird species with 166 recorded to date.

• Tim Rowley - The Wandering Gronk

  BLOG
  I am just a simple novice birder based in Newcastle-U-Lyme in sunny Staffs, been birding seriously now since 2007 this blog just follows Lesley's and my wanderings around the country and what we see along the way…

• Photographer - Martin Kessel

  Gallery
  Bird Photos from home and away