Special Stuff

Yesterday saw us birding the North Staffs Woodlands and Moorlands. We had plenty of local knowledge on hand with our tour guide for the day Richard Powell of Local Birding for Local People fame and also Dean Powell, a BF friend who knows a lot about walking and wildlife in the region.

First stop Hawksmoor Woods, a very peaceful spot. We hardly saw a soul. Garden Warbler (seeing these everywhere now!), Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, GS Woodpecker, Nuthatch and a smashing pair of Redstart. Best of all, a Tree Pipit - this time I saw it, heard it and watched it parachute! (Lifer 215). Couldn’t find any Pied Flycatchers (although Richard could hear them) so dropped into Dimmingsdale where we easily picked up about four from the car park (year tick). Also a couple of Grey Wagtails.

Next, Cotton Dell, a woodland Dean was familiar with and Richard had heard was good for Wood Warbler. We heard one or two Wood Warblers singing, they were quite elusive but we got a few glimpses through persistence. Also GS Woody and another Pied Flycatcher.

The afternoon was spent exploring various undisclosed Moorland habitats in the region. I hadn’t been too hopeful of seeing Red Grouse so was amazed when we saw two in flight over the heather! (lifer 216). Also Wheatear, Stonechat, Snipe, Curlew, Lapwing, Willow Warbler, Swallow, Skylark and what seemed like millions of Meadow Pipits.

Towards the end of the day we were lucky enough to see a Short Eared Owl quartering t'moors (lifer 217) during a hectic 20 minute which also gave us Peregrine (year tick), Hobby (which caught a Mipit), Buzzard and Kestrel – raptortastic!

So big thanks go to Richard for kindly showing us around t’moors and being an excellent guide. Nice to see you again Dean...you were both great company.