Recent  Bird News

Venus Pool (15 March) - Scaup (Maurice Baker) for picture click here

Venus Pool (14 March) - Chiffchaff singing (Helen Griffiths)

Furbers Floods at Whixall Moss (14 March) - Canada Goose 15, Mallard 35, Curlew 32, Teal 99, Coot 9, Moorhen 3, Lapwing 45, Wigeon 72, Shoveller 63 and Black-headed gull c60 (Bob Harris).

Whixall Moss (14 March) - Short eared Owl, male Sparrowhawk and ringtail Hen Harrier (Jim Almond).

Brown Clee (14 March) - 18 Ravens together NW of Abdon Burf "enjoying" the wind and a pair of Crossbills at dam end of Boyne Water (John Macintosh).

Whixall Moss (12 March) - two Short-eared Owls - one dark and the other quite pale also 4 Woodcock and 2 male Stonechat (Jim Almond) - see Jim Almond's blog for pictures

Whixall Moss (11 March) - two Short-eared Owls both birds hunting the area to the rear of Furbers (Howard Prince).

Polmere (9 March) - 40 Wigeon, Shoveler, Teal, Tufted Ducks, a pair of Shelduck and three pairs of Goosander (Jim Almond) see Jim Almond's blog for pictures

Whixall Moss (8 March) - Great Grey Shrike & male Stonechat between weather station & Roundthorn bridge (Rob).

Whixall Moss (7 March) - at least five drumming Great Spotted Woodpeckers, pair of Ravens courting overhead, Harrier sp. seen from a distance, three Kestrel and two Buzzard. On the floods themselves were Shoveller, Wigeon, Teal , Canada Geese, two Shelduck, c40 Lapwing, Black-headed Gulls, 28 Curlew (Bob Harris)

Whixall/Fenns Moss (7 March) – Common Crane present on Fenns Moss at 7.50am viewed from SJ486363 having presumably roosted. The bird was quite vocal regularly calling, it flew off the mosses at 9.10am and appeared to land in fields near the Morris Bridge car park. Also seen a ring-tail Hen Harrier on both Fenns and Whixall, numerous Green Woodpeckers calling but not seen and c20 Curlews (Howard Prince).

Whixall Moss (6 March) - Common Crane flew from the direction of the Moss at 2.00pm and landed in the field. It spent the next four hours there with some Canada Geese until it flew onto the Moss at 5.50pm to roost by one of the small pools. It called for a few minutes when in the field and again when it was flying to roost. Parking at Morris Bridge car park, the field it was in is the large one on the right just after the bungalow when heading towards the Moss (Yvonne Chadwick/Barry Vivian). Also a Short-eared Owl on far side of Fenns Moss, two Willow Tits close the canal. (Barry Vivian). see Jim Almond's blog for pictures of the Cranes.

Wood Lane (5 March) - 12 Curlew, 6 Oystercatcher, 17 Common Snipe, male and female Reed Bunting, Green and Great Spotted Woodpeckers, male and female Sparrow Hawk, c. 300 Lapwing and 6 Shelduck (Paul Burgess) – for photo click here .

The Hem Farm near Shifnal (5 March) - 250 Golden Plover in a field on the right just past the farm approx SJ730055 (Yvonne Chadwick).

Hadley Park Road, near Woodpecker Close, Telford (4 March) - Peregrine perched on top of street light at 0700 alongside bemused looking crow (Toni Gordon)

Venus Pool (4 March) - Robin apparently lacking any red/brown pigmentation. Overall it was very greyish with a dirty-white breast where it should be red. There was just a little pink on its upper throat (John Andrews).

Whixall Moss (4 March) - Ring tail Hen Harrier at 6pm in the area to the rear of Furbers also 17 Curlews in to roost at 6.10pm (Howard Prince).

Walkmill Bridge , Market Drayton (4 March) – Little Egret seen on the River Tern (SJ672335) (reported to Gareth Egarr).

Priorslee Lake (28 February) - Little Grebe calling, 5 Herring Gulls, Mistle Thrush in song, 22 Magpie emerged from the roost, 2 parties of at least 22 Siskins (Ed Wilson).

Priorslee Flash (28 February) - Water Rail in reeds alongside Derwent Drive (Ed Wilson).

Bury Ditches (27 February) - 4 Crossbill (3m1f) by car park entrance (Geoff Hall)

SU Canal, Hindford  (25 February) - Little Egret feeding in gutters adjacent to canal between 'Mad Jacks' and the lock towards St Martins also a flock of some 200-225 Goldfinches with other finches at the crossroads just down from the pub (Neville Smith).

The Wrekin (23 February) - Firecrest loosely associated with Goldcrests etc. approx 250mtrs upon left in Holly bush, also Tawny Owl calling and Crossbill flew over (Paul King).

The Wrekin (22 February) - Firecrest showing well just beyond the toilet block on the right hand side in first ivy covered tree (Paul Rutter).

Chetwynd Pool (21 February) - 75% ice but there were 2 Egyptian Geese and 2 male 2 female Goosander (Martin Grant).

Whixall Moss (14 February)  - 2 Merlin on the moss, 35 Shoveler, 14 Pintail, 49 Wigeon and 79 Teal on the floods (Chris Griffin).

Bury Ditches (13 February) - 40+ Crossbill, Red Kite, Goshawk and a Brambling (Paul Rutter).

Dukes Drive at SJ650168 (13 February) - Little Egret, flock of c200 Lapwing and a Red Legged Partridge (Martin Grant) also at 10.15am a Common Crane was in a field just north of the drive (Andy Latham).

Whixall floods by Furbers (21 February) – 8 Coot, 51 Wigeon, 143+ Teal, 57 Mallard, 30 Shoveler, 11 Pintail, 5 Canada Geese. and 2 Mute Swan (Robert Harris).

Whixall Moss (19 February) - Great Grey Shrike was present again at 10.45am viewed from SJ482359 (post 17) looking towards the canal (Howard Prince).

Whixall Moss (18 February) - Short eared Owl hunting at 4.42pm (Andy Latham).

Whitemere (18 February) –Red-breasted Merganser still present (Paul Rutter).

The Wrekin (18 February) - Firecrest is still present about 300mtrs up the path on the left showing well, also a Tawny Owl and a Nuthatch (Andy Latham).

Priorslee Flash (16 February) - 2 Redpoll, 9 Goldfinch and 4 Siskin in alders (Ed Wilson).

Priorslee Lake (16 February) - 5 Great Crested Grebes, Heron, 5 Mute Swans, 7 Canada Geese, 4 Gadwall: both pairs still present, 26 Mallard, 44 Pochard, 55 Tufted Ducks, Water Rail in the Wesley Brook, 6 Moorhens, 151 Coots, c.750 Black-headed Gulls, c.450 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, c.20 Herring Gulls, 12+ Siskins, 23 Linnets, and 9 Reed Buntings (Ed Wilson).

Alderley lane, Wem (16 February) - 4 Whooper Swans still present (Richard Vernon).

Melverley (15 February) - 21 Whooper Swans (Andy Latham).

Whitemere (15 February) -2 Smew (Barry Vivian).

Colemere (15 February) – Red-breasted Merganser (Barry Vivian).

Whixhall Moss (15 February) - very quiet, the flooded fields had Wigeon, Teal, Pintail and Shoveler (Barry Vivian).

Alveley, Poole Hall (15 February) - 7 Goosander (Keith Bates).

Burrow Hill, west of Hopesay (14 February) - about 30-40 Crossbill (Sandra Spence).

Dudmaston (all pools) (14 February) - 7 Goldeneye, 8 Siskin, 36 Tufted Duck, Great Crested Grebe, escaped Snow Goose with 7 Greylag Goose, 164 Canada Goose (Keith Bates).

Whixall Moss (14 February)  - 2 Merlin on the moss, 35 Shoveler, 14 Pintail, 49 Wigeon and 79 Teal on the floods (Chris Griffin).

Alveley, Poole Hall (13 February) - 35 Lapwing (Keith Bates).

Severn Valley Country Park (13 February) - 8 Goosander and 2 Coot (Keith Bates).

River Severn , south of Highley (13 February) - 2 Goosander (Keith Bates).

Bury Ditches (13 February) - 40+ Crossbill, Red Kite, Goshawk and a Brambling (Paul Rutter).

Dukes Drive at SJ650168 (13 February) - Little Egret, flock of c200 Lapwing and a Red Legged Partridge (Martin Grant) also at 10.15am a Common Crane was in a field just north of the drive (Andy Latham).

River Clun just upstream of Purslow Bridge (13 February) - Lesser Spotted Woodpecker John & Liz Tucker).

Whitemere (13 February) - Smew and Red-breasted Merganser (Ian Grant)

Whixall Moss (13 February) - ringtail Harrier (Ian Grant)

Kingsnordley (12 February) - 6 Golden Plover (Keith Bates).

Whixall Moss (12 February) - Common Crane (Len Gibbons).

Chelmarsh Reservoir (11 February) - 8 Snipe, 14 Goosander, 37 Greylag Goose, 30 Canada Goose, 18 Cormrorant, 17+ Tufted Duck and 45+ Coot (Keith Bates).

River Severn , Hampton Loade (11 February) - 4 Goosander and a Little Grebe (Keith Bates).

Severn Valley Country Park (11 February) - Goosander, Redpoll, Siskin and 2 Coot (Keith Bates).

White Mere (11 February) - female Smew (Paul Burgess) for photo click here . 

Colemere (11 February) - 1st winter male Red-breasted Merganser (Paul Burgess) for photo click here .

Venus Pool (9 February) – a Merlin disturbed from a kill in the cropped area (Pete Deans).

Haughmond Hill (8 February) - Male Crossbill, also a large finch flock 300+ mainly Siskin & Goldfinch with some Redpoll (Andy Latham).

Venus Pool (8 February) - Female Scaup (Andy Latham).

White Mere (8 February) - redhead Smew (Andy Latham).

Colemere (8 February) - Female (or 1w male?) Red-breasted Merganser (Andy Latham).

Bayston Hill (7 February) -Short-eared Owl hunting low over the fields between the village and the rear of Dobbies garden centre (Jason Buckley).

Whixall Moss (7 February) - 44 Pinkfooted Geese flying North (Jim Almond).

Prees Village (6 February) - 200+ Pinkfooted Geese flying NW, birds were calling but high in fog, therefore minimum count (Howard Prince).

Shavington (6 February) - several flocks of Pinkfooted Geese flying N, as above the birds were calling but high in fog and uncountable (Alan Heath).

Fenns Moss (4 February) - Short-eared Owl (David Hopwood/Howard Prince).

Colemere (6 February) - c30 Goosander, 2 Willow Tit in the wood plus a large mixed flock Redpoll / Siskin on the Alders, easily 50+ (Jim Almond).

Wood Lane (6 February) - 3 Oystercatchers (Jim Almond).

Isombridge lane (6 February) - large flock of Curlew Longden side of fishing pool (Jim Almond).

Upton Magna, near CJs new road entrance (6 February) - 1,000 + Fieldfare plus few Redwing (Jim Almond).

Lyth Hill side of A49 (6 February) - cultivated field with at least 3,000 Lapwing plus a few Golden Plover mixed in (Jim Almond).

Colemere (4 February) - 26 Goosander and a female Read-breasted Merganser Red-breasted Merganser still present. Plenty of tit flocks with one including 5 Common Redpoll (Chris Griffin).

Colemere (3 February) - 20+ Goosander and a female Read-breasted Merganser (Paul Rutter/Richard Vernon et al).

Fenn's Moss (3 February) - distant views of Great Grey Shrike and a Hen Harrier (Paul Rutter).

Rea Brook at Hanwood (2 February) - regular sightings of a Little Egret over the last week, also Goosanders regularly seen this winter on the brook (Roger Johnson).

Whixall / Fenns Moss (31 January) – Great Grey Shrike was present at 2.15pm at SJ494364. It was first seen here before flying towards Moss Cottages and was still visible at 2.30pm perched in a tall Silver Birch tree (Harold Prince).

Furbers Floods, Whixall Moss (31 January) – east side, still about 70% ice, 155 Mallard, 46 Wigeon, 12 Teal, 1 Pintail (male), 1 Moorhen, 65 Lapwing,  Buzzard, Pheasant, and eleven Black-headed gulls whilst on the west side, 85% ice, were 47 Mallard, 18 Teal, 15 Pintail, 7 Shoveller (4 male), 2 Coot, 3 Snipe, 12 Canada Goose. In the area 5 Bullfinch, 30 mixed Redpoll /Goldfinch, and two Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 2 displaying Ravens and 2 Buzzards. Out on the moss itself Carrion Crows, “ Buzzard, a Ring-tail Harrier still present (seen taking a Reed Bunting), c.12 Reed Buntings, a Meadow Pipit, a Green Woodpecker, another flock of c30 Redpoll, three drumming Great Spotted Woodpeckers and a flock of 25 Woodpigeons on one of the paths (Bob Harris).

Fenns Moss (30 January) – At dusk two Merlin and the Ring tailed Hen Harrier (viewed from SJ486363) (note that 2 Short eared Owls were seen mobbing the Harrier at dusk last weekend at this site. (Howard Prince).

Dudmaston (24 January) - 156 Canada Geese, 75 Grey-lag Geese, "escaped" Snow Goose, 116 Tufted Ducks, 4 Goldeneye and a Great Spotted Woodpecker drumming (Steve Haycox). 

Whixall Moss (23 January) – 2 Willow Tit on the walk in from Furbers bridge, a flock of c30 Redpoll in the canal side alders, on the floods, good numbers of Teal, Shoveler, Pintail (10) plus a few Wigeon and Snipe (Jim Almond).

Between Isombridge and Longdon on Tern (23 January) - flock of 25 Curlew in an adjacent field and 13 Goosander on the small pool (Jim Almond).

Whixall/Fenns Moss (21 January) - Great Grey Shrike and Hen Harrier (reported to Howard Prince).

Shrewsbury Town (21 January) – Peregrine circling over town and perching on St Alkmond’s Church steeple, 2 Little Grebe fishing in River Severn by Frankwell Car Park (Colin Wright).

Priorslee Lake (20 January) - Ad Caspian Gull (probably same bird as 19 Jan) also a Yellow-legged Gull (Andy Latham).

Cefn Coch SJ235334 (18 January) - Flock of 26 Crossbill, lots of small flocks also seen but could have been same birds.  Some brightly coloured males and one singing. Birds can often be seen from the road as the woodland is now private - still a lot of snow and ice (Allan Dawes). 

Priorslee Lake (19 January) - Adult Caspian Gull (probably the adult from just before the New Year)(Andy Latham) – for the keen gull hunters Andy states his reasons for the ID as long parallel bill, long neck, high chest, long thin legs, greenish yellow in colour, small dark eye, clean white head not particulary pear shaped, but relatively flat crowned. Shade darker on the mantle than 'argenteus' close by. Long primary projection. Brief views of the primary patterns not enough for the detail on the inner webs of P10 but everything else fitted.

Priorslee Lake (18 January) - 2nd winter Glaucous Gull also a Yellow-legged Gull, a probable "intermedius" Lesser Black-backed Gull. At least one possible Ring-billed Gull, and several white-headed, dark-eyed, Herring Gulls (Andy Latham).

River Morda, Candy, near Oswestry (18 January) - Little Egret (John Clarke).

Chelmarsh Reservoir (18 January) – massive gull roost but only 2 Yellow-legged Gulls and 2 Greater Black-backed Gulls.  Goosander numbers have gone down to 20. 10+ spent shotgun cartridges by the Reservoir hide, so this has probably had an effect on the number of wildfowl there (Steve Haycox).

Venus Pool (frozen) and the Fishing Pool (17 January) – 8 Shoveler, Teal, Shelduck, 7 Goldeneye, 200+ Coot, Moorhen, 5 Great Crested Grebes, 3 Little Grebe, 4 Cormorant, Bullfinch, Mute Swan, many Reed Bunting, Grey Heron, Buzzard, Kestrel and Black-headed Gulls (Graham).

Bury Ditches (17 January) – 2+ Crossbills (John Tucker).

Monkmoor Lagoon (16 January) - flocks of Wigeon, Teal , Canada Geese plus 2 Barnacle Geese. Also a few Water Rail (Roger Norton)

River Severn at Atcham (16 January) -15 Goosander and a male Goldeneye (Geoff Hall).

Manor Way, Shrewsbury (9 January) – flock of 25 Long-tailed Tits as seen earlier in the new Monkmoor Community Woodland where the alder, silver birch and guelder rose are becoming sufficiently established to start attracting quite a few birds including Lesser Redpoll, Goldfinches, Siskins, Bullfinches, Redwings and Fieldfares (Maurice Baker) for photo click here  

Chelmarsh (15 January) – highlights were a drake Gadwall on the scrape, 2 Water Rail, 9 Goosander and 55 Wigeon (Martyn Owen).

Wood Lane (15 January) – Buzzard landed within 16 feet (Paul Burgess) for photo click here  

Chelmarsh Reservoir (11 January) - 53 Wigeon, 1 Pochard, 2 Goosander, 15 Siskin, 109+ Tufted Duck, 87+ Coot and 155 Canada Geese (Keith Bates).

River Severn at Hampton Loade (11 January) - a Wigeon, 1 Jack Snipe, 1 Snipe, 2 Reed Bunting, 1 Redpoll, 21 Goosander, 12 Canada Goose and 201 Mallard (Keith Bates).

Severn Valley Country Park (11 January) - a Peregrine, 4 Goosander, a Redpoll, 15 Siskin and a Coot (Keith Bates).

River Severn at Hampton Loade (10 January) - 1 Pink-Footed Goose, 11 Wigeon, 2 Coot, 1 Pochard, 1 Woodcock, 1 Jack Snipe, 1 Snipe, 2 Teal, 3 Tufted Duck, 32 Goosander, 1 escaped Snow Goose with 23 Greylag Goose, 11 Cormorant, 180 Canada Goose and 366 Mallard (Keith Bates).

Priorslee Lake (11 January) – Highlights were a Bittern flushed from N side and flew towards the NW reeds, Peregrine flying off with prey (looked like a Moorhen) chased by Buzzard, itself being chased by a Carrion Crow (Ed Wilson); later 4 Goosander, 2 Water Rail, a Common Snipe, a Woodcock and 2 pairs of Gadwall (Martin Grant) and at lunchtime superb views of the Bittern when it flew (flushed??) from the North reed bed, seemed to be heading over the M54 but doubled back, landing briefly in the SE corner. It then flew down the lake - disappearing into the NW reed bed (Jim Almond) for photo  click here  

Venus Pool (11 January) - large mixed finch flock feeding in the top field, one Brambling amongst the 100s of Chaffinch. No sign of the Smew. A few Pochard, Wigeon and a Shelduck present (Martyn Owen).

Fenns/Whixall Moses (10 January) – Great Grey Shrike on Fenns Moss at SJ477362 which is the path near the old works which leads to the canal. It flew towards the central area of Fenns Moss. Alongside the canal a mixed flock of c.200 Lesser Redpoll and Siskin with a few Goldfinch. Little else present but one Raven, 2 Kestrels and small numbers of Fieldfares. The floods are mainly frozen, c100 Mallard, c30 Wigeon and c25 Teal on the small patch of open water (Howard Prince).

Priorslee Lake (10 January) – by the footbridge 2 Water Rail, 2 Moorhens, 1 Snipe and Blackbird, Dunnock, Wren and Robin all foraging together, also 2 other Snipe, 6 Wigeon, Little Grebe, 3 Great Crested Grebes, 35 Mute Swans, c.67 Canada Geese, 4 Gadwall, 29 Mallard, 15 Pochard, 70 Tufted Duck, 12 Moorhens, c.200 Black-headed Gulls, c.200 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 5 Herring Gulls. Also Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Willow Tits, 18 Goldfinches and 13 Siskins (Ed Wilson).

Chelmarsh (9 January) - 52 Wigeon, 4 Pochard, 3 Meadow Pipit, 1 Redpoll, 3 Goosander, 75+ Tufted Duck and 135+ Coot (Keith Bates).

River Severn , Shrewsbury (9th January) - between the ice floes 6 Goosanders (2 drakes) on the town side of Welsh Bridge and 7 Goosanders (3 drakes) on the town side of English Bridge (Ed Wilson).

Priorslee Lake (9 January) – Bittern seen at 1545 hrs on ground close to point where Wesley Brook feeds into the West end of the Lake also adult Yellow legged Gull, 3 Water Rail along Wesley Brook, 4 Gadwall, 3 Goosander and a Snipe (John Isherwood).

River Severn at Hampton Loade (7 January) - a Pochard, Woodcock, Jack Snipe, 3 Snipe, 2 Goldeneye, a Teal, 11 Goosander, a Siskin and 257 Canada Geese (Keith Bates).

Severn Valley Country Park (7 January) - 2 Snipe, 4 Goosander, 17 Siskin, 1 Reed Bunting and a Coot (Keith Bates).

between Buildwas and Leighton  (6 January) - adult Barnacle Goose in with c. 210 Canada Geese (there was a Pink-footed Goose on 30 December) (Stephen France).

Muxton (5 January) – Blackcap female found alive in the road, taken home and given food and released in garden (Warren Tack) for photo  click here  

Priorslee Lake (6 January) – 4 Common Gull, 2 ad. Yellow-legged Gull, 1 ad. Great Black-backed Gull, Black-necked Grebe, 2 Wigeon & 1 Snipe (Jason Buckley and others). Also a possible adult winter Ring-billed Gull (at 3.15pm), a very-creamy Black-headed Gull with no black at all, not an albino as the bill and legs were 'normal' and it was creamy and not white, 3 Common Gulls, only c.35 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and 10 Herring Gulls. Also Little Grebe, 3 Wigeon, 2 pairs of Gadwall, drake Shoveler, 4 Great Crested Grebes, 39 Mute Swans,5 Greylag x Canada Geese, 41 Canada Geese, 23 Mallard, 22 Pochard,57 Tufted Ducks, 3 Water Rails seen together upstream of the footbridge, 11 Moorhens and 272 Coots (Ed Wilson). For more information on the Ring-billed Gull see Ed's posting on http://groups.yahoo.com/group/shropshirebirds/

Polemere  (5 January) - 75% ice with a central patch of water, a male Pintail, 90 Teal, 34 Wigeon and 12 Shoveler (Jim Almond).

Priorslee Lake (5 January) - Amongst the gulls all concentrated by the only available water hole in the frozen lake were 3 Yellow-legged Gulls, an adult Caspian Gull and an adult Ring-billed Gull (Richard Vernon). Visit http://groups.yahoo.com/group/shropshirebirds/ to see discussion on the Ring-billed Gull.

Chelmarsh (3 January) - 6 Yellow-legged Gulls in the roost, 1 Great Black-backed Gull, 54 Goosanders, 144 Tufted Ducks, 3 Water Rails, 6 Wigeon, a Pochard and 6 Snipe (Steve Haycox).

Melverley Green (3 January) - 25 Whooper Swans (Jim Almond). for photo  click here   

Priorslee Lake (3 January) - 2nd winter Caspian Gull, Black-necked Grebe (Jim Almond) also adult Yellow-legged Gull (Richard Vernon). for photo click here    

Venus Pool (3 January) - female Ruddy Duck & 2 Wigeon (Jason Buckley) also 3 redhead Smew on the trout pool (Jim Almond/Jason Buckley). for photo click here    

Fenns Moss SJ478362 (3 January) – Great Grey Shrike (moving around the area) also 3 Pintail on the canal floods with 6 Wigeon, c75 Teal and c75 Mallard (Howard Prince).

Priorslee Lake (2 January) - adult winter Ring-billed Gull (Rob Stokes via Richard Vernon).

Priorslee Lake (2 January) - 93 Tufted Duck, c.1500 gulls with 1000 large gulls amongst which were the adult Common Gull, 3 adult Yellow-legged Gulls and c.70 Herring Gulls, later there were  c.3500 gulls mostly Black-headed Gulls. Black-necked Grebe still present. (Ed Wilson) also an adult winter Ring-billed Gull (Rob Stokes via Richard Vernon)..

Ellesmere (2 January) - 12 Goosander, 7 Goldeneye, 1 Little Grebe, 1 Kingfisher, 5 Ravens over (Paul Burgess).

Chelmarsh (1 January) - 3 Yellow-legged Gulls in the roost, 45 Goosanders, 89 Tufted Ducks, 51 Teal, 22 Snipe flushed from Baxter's. Also 2 Water Rails (Steve Haycox).

A49 south of Bayston Hill (31 December) - large flock of Golden Plover & Lapwing (Geoff Hall).

Melverley  (31 December) - 25 Whooper Swans on flooded pool with 5 Mute Swans, 32 Greylag Goose and 10 Wigeon (Andrew Morris).

Priorslee Lake (29 December) - Caspian Gull and n adult Yellow-legged Gull (Richard Vernon).

Tibberton area (29 December) - mixed flock of at least 28 Yellowhammer and Reed Bunting also 40 Skylarks in two tight groups feeding in fodder beet or young rape, also 12 Meadow Pipits, 4 Bullfinches and a Song Thrush (Stephen Jaggs).

Severn Valley Country Park (28 December) - 6 Goosander and 29 Siskin (Keith Bates).

River Severn south of Highley (28 December) - 8 Goosander and 2 Little Grebe (Keith Bates).

Ercall Heath (28 December) - 4 Bramblings in a mixed finch flock feeding in rape stubble SJ679225 (Steve Jaggs).

Dudmaston Pools (27 December) - Pools 95% frozen over 2 Goldeneye, 2 Redpoll, 9 Tufted Duck, 1 Siskin, 1 Great Crested Grebe and 47 Canada Goose (Keith Bates).

Hampton Loade (27 December) - 11 Goosander (Keith Bates).

Cherrington (27 December) - 6 Corn Bunting (2 singing) on overhead wires (Steve Jaggs).

Polemere (26 December) - 43 Wigeon, 23 Teal, 146 Mallard, 6 Shoveler, 43 Coot, 15 Canada Goose and 4 Moorhen (Dawn Balmer/Pete Wilkinson).

Mortimer Forest (car park at High Vinalls) (26 December) - small flock of Goldcrests, c.15 Crossbills feeding in the tall car park trees plus a few smaller groups around (Simon Holloway).

Chelmarsh (25 December) - 11 Wigeon, 2 Water Rail, 6 Snipe, 8 Goosander, 7 Siskin, 1 Lapwing, 103+ Tufted Duck, 80+ Coot and 17 Cormorant (Kevin Bates).

Hampton Loade (25 December) - Jack Snipe and a  Meadow Pipit (Kevin Bates).

Brown Clee Hill (25 December) -small flock of 35 Crossbill and a Woodcock and a couple of Marsh Tits (Paul Burgess).

Priorslee Lake (25 December) - adult Common Gull on the ice, the Black-necked Grebe still present and 26 Mute Swans (Ed Wilson)

Priorslee Lake (24 December) - 3 Yellow-legged Gulls (adult, 2nd-winter, 3rd-winter) 1000 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 60 Herring Gulls, Black-necked Grebe (Dawn Balmer/Pete Wilkinson).

Radbrook, Shrewsbury (23 December) - 3 Blackcap appeared (2 male and a female) and have remained in area since then (Colin Wright).

Priorslee Lake (23 December) – in the remaining water in the ice - Little Grebe, Black-necked Grebe, 4 Great Crested Grebes, 18 Mute Swans, 6 Greylag x Canada Geese, 55 Canada Geese, 4 Gadwall, 35 Mallard, 41 Pochard, 75 Tufted Ducks, 311 Coots, c.380 Black-headed Gulls, 178 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 12 Herring Gulls. Buzzard flew low over the water, 2 Water Rails and 2 Common Snipe (Ed Wilson).

Chelmarsh Reservoir and Scrape (20 December) - 10 Gadwall and c80 Goosanders plus a Marsh Tit (Stephen Haycox).

Priorslee Lake (20 December) - Less ice today with some birds apparently having moved out - but some new Swans have moved in. Little Grebe again at W end the Black-necked Grebe along the S side today plus Water Rails in NW and NE areas again. Large gull roost again with >3000 Black-headed Gulls: but only c.50 large gulls (Ed Wilson).

Venus Pool 19?.12.09) – Black Swan on the ice (Roger Gibb) for photo click here  

Priorslee Lake (17 December) - Black-necked Grebe still present plus a drake Goosander and two “odd” Canada Geese -one was superficially like a Greylag x Canada with a pinkish bill and a 'shadow' of the Canada chin-strap, though rather more extensive. The puzzling features were the startlingly white rings around the eye (just like a huge White-eye) and the rather dark overall plumage. The white eye ring seems not to be present on any 'real' goose sp. (Ed Wilson)

Priorslee Lake (14 December) - Black-necked Grebe still present (Ed Wilson/Paul Burgess)  for photo click here  

Worlteys Coppice SO604957 (13 December) - 5 Crossbills (Linda Munday)

Priorslee Lake (13 December) - both the Little and Black-necked Grebes still close at the W end also a pair of Gadwall and 3 Shoveler (2 drakes) (Ed Wilson).

Whixall floods (13 December) - Ruff, c100 Teal, 57 Wigeon, 10 Shoveler, 2 male 3 female Pintail, 5 Snipe, Common Gull plus escape Speckled Teal and a Hen Harrier (Martin and Ian Grant).

Priorslee Lake (10 December) – Black-necked Grebe still present and showing well alongside the concrete ramp at the west end of the lake. Seemingly unconcerned about people / dogs. Entered the reeds occasionally (Ed Wilson).

Priorslee Lake (9 December) – Black-necked Grebe still present and showing well today in the SW corner from 1.30 onwards also an adult Yellow-legged Gull amongst the flighty Gull flock (Jim Almond).

Priorslee Lake (8 December) – Black-necked Grebe still present (Paul King/Jim Almond/Ed Wilson) for photos click here

Whixall Moss (8 December) - a ringtail Hen Harrier, a Jack Snipe, a Ruff (Furbers) and a Great Grey Shrike (Welsh side beyond railway) (Paul Rutter).

Ellesmere (8 December) - 1st winter Mediterranean Gull (Paul Rutter).

Chelmarsh (5 December) – On the Scrape a Water Rail heard and a Cettis Warbler in song from the reeds to the left of the hide. From 3.15pm Starlings began arriving in groups of 30 up to 200. They put on an amazing display zooming in front of and over the hide, just feet away! During the following half hour at least 1000 arrived and dropped into the reeds about twenty to thirty metres away. It may not be a huge amount but the closeness of them to the hide made it quite an experience! Also seen a  male Sparrowhawk and on the reservoir there were 108 Goosander (Yvonne Chadwick).

Priorslee Lake (5 December) - Woodcock flushed from small copse alongside footpath at W end of the lake (Ed Wilson).

Priorslee Lake (29th November) - male Pintail (Martin & Ian Grant).

Wrekin (28 November) - Firecrest was showing well at the start of the main track on the Wrekin behind the disused toilets (Martin & Ian Grant).

Polmere (17 November) - first summer Glaucous Gull (Ken Bird).

Wood Lane (27 November) -2 Common Gulls, many Black-headed Gulls, among the large gulls an adult Yellow-legged Gull. The landfill site has c.2000 birds and many come to bathe (Richard Vernon).

Severn Valley Country Park (23 November) - 1 Siskin, 1 Reed Bunting (Keith Bates). 

Hampton Loade (23 November) - 3 Brambling, 1 Siskin (Keith Bates). 

Chelmarsh (23 November) - Cetti's Warbler, 38 Lapwing, 3 Little Grebe, 1 Redpoll, 53+ Tufted Duck, 65+ Coot (Keith Bates).

River Severn south of Highley (22 November) - 3 Mandarin, 6 Siskin and 8 Long-Tailed Tit (Keith Bates).

Dudmaston Pool (21 November) - 5 Goosander, 2 Redpoll, 12 Siskin, 6 Tufted Duck and 3 Great Crested Grebe (Keith Bates).

Chelmarsh (19 November) - Chiffchaff, Peregrine, 5 Snipe, 6 Meadow Pipit and a Teal (Keith Bates).

Hampton Loade (19 November) – Brambling and a Mandarin (Keith Bates).

Wall Farm (15 November) – Short-eared Owl on, Water Rail and Stonechat (Stephen France)

Wood Lane (15 November) – female Blackcap (Richard Vernon).

Tibberton (15 November) – pair of Blackcap in garden (Steve Jaggs)

Chelmarsh (15 November) – Cetti’s Warbler, 4 Jack Snipe, 15 Common Snipe, 1 Water Rail, a Chiffchaff plus 10 Goosander on the reservoir (Paul Barker).

Venus Pool (14th November) – Little Gull (Paul King) for photo click here  

Bridgnorth (12 November) – male Mandarin (Terry Arch) – for photo click here  

Chelmarsh (11 November) - Cetti's Warbler - from the hide, in the reed bed to the left (Yvonne Chadwick) - Note: Anyone seeing this bird please check if it has a ring ie the bird from 30 October (see below).

Wrekin (10 November) - Firecrest was still present, walk up from the car park after 150m on the left is a fallen ivy covered tree, the bird was slightly higher up the path on the right hand side just before the reinforced bank. It was feeding in a ivy covered ash tree which has a obvious fork in it - seen feeding in the ivy (Andy Latham)

Fenn's & Whixall Mosses (8 November) Great Grey Shrike in the vicinity of SJ486375 not far from disused Peat Factory also Green Woodpecker, pair Bullfinch, flock 20 & 10 Long-tailed Tits, Stonechat and flock c30 Fieldfare and Raven whilst on Whixall Moss, English side SJ4936 Green Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Kingfisher, 5 Stonechats, 3 Ravens, 10+ Reed Buntings, 3 Snipe, Willow Tit, Jay and 8 Long Tailed Tits plus, on Furbers Floods 200+ Lapwing, 5 Snipe, 2 Wigeon and a Stonechat (Martin & Ian Grant).

The Wrekin (8 November) - Firecrest still around (Jim Almond and Yvonne Chadwick).

Melverley (7 November) - 5 adult Whooper Swans on flooded pool (John & Andrew Morris)

The Wrekin (7 November) - Firecrest seen again. Walk up from the bottom c150-200m on the left is a obvious ivy covered tree which has fallen and is leaning at 45 degrees - it was seen in this area. A Crossbill flew over (Andy Latham).

Venus Pool (5 November) - a small flock of Golden Plover (Terry Arch) for photo click here  

The Wrekin (4 November) - Firecrest 200yds up from car park, also 2 Brambling and plenty of Redwing (Andy Latham).

Chelmarsh (2 November) - Whooper Swan with 9 Mute Swans on Reservoir (Dave Fulton).

The Wrekin (2 November) - Lesser-spotted Woodpecker in with a small tit flock, Great Spotted Woodpecker and Green Woodpecker, a flock of Redpoll 30+ and a single harrassed Tawny Owl (Andy Latham).

Venus Pool (1 November) - 1st winter Mediterranean Gull, colour ringed right leg RED PKA2, 3-400 Golden Plover over, female Pintail, 12 Wigeon, 50+ Teal and a Green Sandpiper (Andy Latham).

Wood Lane (30 October) - Hottentot Teal (presumably an escape from a collection as usually found in Africa) per Mike Cole for photo click here  

Chelmarsh (30 October) - Juvenile Cetti's Warbler caught and ringed which is the first ringing record from thid site for this species (Dave Fulton, Chelmarsh Ringing Group)

Whixall Moss (30 October) - Great Grey Shrike seen late morning on Welsh side of the moss by Fenn's bank area (Richard Vernon) for photo go to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/shropshirebirds Andy Latham has submitted the following (edited) to help observers locate this bird which has been moving between the English and Welsh sides of the mosses: Taffy the Great Grey Shrike was on the moss this morning,(30/10) mainly in Wales (always actually) so if anyone needs it for their Welsh list here are some directions. Access from the car park at Furbers (morris's lane)and walk straight out to the moss, at the cross tracks turn right continue for a long time until you see a weather station on your left, turn left and keep walking, you'll know when you cross the border, the sky will darken and everywhere will look grey, or is that Mordor?, no I'm sure its Wales. Keep straight on at every opportunity, you should have taken 30-40 mins to reach this point, start looking to your left at any prominent perches, the shrike favoured this area (30/10). After an hour of terrorising the Fenns moss Meadow Pipit population "taffy" flew off over the moss beyond the old railway line. You now walk straight on for another 20-30mins and turn right onto the railway line (disused) and walk until you reach a large clearfell on your left and hopefully you will have relocated "taffy" perched up in this area, at least that was its routine up to 12.00 noon 30/10. Other species seen were Merlin, Peregrine, a ringtail Hen Harrier, Redpoll and Fieldfare, Redwing and Skylark. Andy.

Whixall Moss (28 October) - Great Grey Shrike, approach from Furbers and turn right and then look towards the left near to the pools (Andy Latham).

Tibberton (22 October) - first Brambling of the autumn flew over (Steve Jaggs)

Tibberton (21 October) - two Fieldfares (Steve Jaggs)

Priorslee Lake (21 October) - immature Great Black-backed Gull, Chiffchaff heard and seen, party of 8 Siskins, 62 Mute Swans,18 Greylag Geese seen flying over, 6 Canada Geese, 5 Wigeon, 29 Mallard,14 Pochard, 22 Tufted Ducks, 231 Coots, 3 Buzzards, Kestrel, c.100 Black-headed Gulls, c.275 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 2 Herring Gulls, 27 Redwings (Ed Wilson).

River Onny valley (2 miles west of A49) Horderley(?) (20 October) -Common Crane at 0915 flying Southeast approximately along the course of the river Onny (Ray Hedges)

River Severn, south of Highley (20 October) - Goosander and 3 Siskin (Keith Bates)

Severn Valley Country Park (20 October) - 1 Redpoll and 2 Siskin (Keith Bates)

Allscott (20 October) - a Swallow, 32 Redwing, 3 Fieldfare, Merlin, Peregrine, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, 3 Redshank and a Green Sandpiper (Andy Latham).

Nash (19 October) - Red Kite being mobbed by jackdaws (Paul Barker).

A49 between Church Stretton and Dorrington (19 October) - about 50 Swallows congregating on some wires (John Arnfield).

Severn Valley Country Park (19 October) - Willow Tit, Goosander and 2 Redpoll (Keith Bates)

Chelmarsh (19 October) - female Stonechat, 2 Shelduck, Snipe, Chiffchaff, Meadow Pipit and 17 Teal (Keith Bates)

Rivern Severn, south of Highley (18 October) - female Mandarin, 2 Goosander, 2 Siskin (Keith Bates)

Severn Valley Country Park (18 October) - 12 Goosander, Redpoll and a Siskin (Keith Bates)

Dudmaston (17 October) - 1 escaped Snow Goose with 229 Greylag Goose, 3 Great Crested Grebe, 97 Canada Goose and 74 Fieldfare (Keith Bates)

Hampton Loade (16 October) - 2 Siskin, 348 Redwing, mainly flying over (Keith Bates)

Priorslee Lake (13 October) - highlights 14 Wigeon and 4 Teal (Ed Wilson).

Trench Lock (13 October) - drake Shoveler; and c.93 Tufted Ducks (Ed Wilson)

Allscott (13 October) - 42 Redwing flying s/w also a Peregrine and 3 Redshank ( Andy Latham).

Colemere to Blakemere (11 October) - along the canal towpath 4 early Fieldfares, c. 30 late Swallows, Green and Great Spotted Woodpecker,  2 Little Owl in oak tree by bridge 54 and a Woodcock (Paul Burgess).

Brown Clee (10 October) - 7 Redwing and 12 Mistle Thrush (Paul Barker)

Aston on Clun (9 October) - First Redwings over today, just half a dozen, and Siskins began regular over-flights (John Tucker).

Venus Pool (9 October) - Bittern showed today at around 7.15-7.45am and again at 6.15pm in the far reed bed. The Whooper Swan reappeared during the day and flew back in at 6.15pm and was still there at dusk. Two Tawny Owls were also calling from near the car park (Yvonne Chadwick) 

Crudgington (9 October) - Red Kite hunting the fields near the creamery (Yvonne Chadwick).

Eyton Moor (9 October) - 250 Golden Plover with at least 1500 Lapwing (Yvonne Chadwick).

Venus Pool (9 October) - Whooper Swan during the day and a Bittern was seen late afternoon flying to roost in the trees in the reed bed directly opposite the hide (Jim Almond).

Eyton Moor, Crudgington (9 October) - c1000 Lapwing, c90 Golden Plover, c60 Linnet, 18 Buzzard, 2 Stonechat, 2 Corn Bunting, 5 Yellowhammer, 40+ Meadow Pipit, Kestrel and Heron (Yvonne Chadwick).

Brown Cee summit (9 October) - a male Goshawk mobbing a Raven over the wood south of Abdon Burf masts also 15 Redpoll (Paul Barker)

Venus Pool (8 October) - Little Stint was noted in the log book (no name or details given).

Chelmarsh (6 October) – Redshank (from the notebook via Yvonne Chadwick)

Polmere (6 October) – Pinkfooted Goose (Yvonne Chadwick).  

River Severn at Atcham (22 September) - 2 Barnacle Geese amongst the Canada Geese upstream of the bridge sitting on island.(Richard Vernon).

Chelmarsh (21 September) - 6 Snipe, 34 Teal, 141+ Tufted Duck, 75+ Coot and 7 Swallow (Keith Bates).

Dudmaston Pools (19 September) - 1 escaped Snow Goose with 144 Greylag Goose, 31 Canada Goose, 1 Great Crested Grebe and just 2 Coot (Keith Bates).

Chelmarsh (17 September) - 8 Snipe, 51 Teal, 1+ Goosander, 1 escaped Snow Goose with 133 Greylag Goose and 158 Canada Goose (Keith Bates).

Venus Pool (15 September) - Green Woodpecker (Maurice Baker) for photo click here  

Forton Heath nr. Montford Bridge (September 14) - Red Kite heading SW - being mobbed by 5 Corvids (Steve Lowe)

Rednal (10 September) - Purple Heron still present (Jim Almond) for picture in flight click here  

Rednal (9 September) - Purple Heron still in the area (Paul Burgess/Richard Camp/Pete Nickless) for a photo (distant) click here  

Whixall Moss (9 September) - 3 Spotted Flycatchers and a Hobby (Kevin Pryce).

Priorslee Lake (7 September) - juvenile Willow Warbler, Pochard, Green Woodpecker, 2 Meadow Pipits, 8 Swallows, 2 Ravens flew over, 42 Pied Wagtails and 134 Greenfinches (Ed Wilson)

Chelmarsh (6 September) - 2 Water Rails showing well in front of the hide, 14 Teal, 2 Snipe, a Reed Warbler and male Reeves Pheasant (Steve Haycox).for photo click here 

Rednal (6 September) - Purple Heron still present along the tow path (Jason Buckley) for photo by Paul King click here and more on both Paul and Jason's blogs, links at the top of the Gallery page 

Rednal area (5 September) -a juv. Purple Heron - first see on Pen-yr-Estyn Marshand subsequently seen on and from the Montomery Canal towpath (Alan Heath, Jason Buckley and others).

Priorslee Lake (4 September) - Little Egret (Ed Wilson)

Wood Lane (3 September) - Green Sandpiper and a juv Dunlin (Richard Vernon)