Steve Atkinson
@steveatkinson.bsky.social
Patch birder - RSPB Middleton Lakes. West Midlands region. Wolves season ticket holder.
One of a surprising group of 10+ Yellowhammers at #middletonlakes this morning. Usually a very scarce bird for the reserve. Also of note a female type Marsh Harrier 7 Pochards and 6 Stonechats. I also had my first autumn Goldeneye on the Ski Lake last week. #staffsbirdnews
My first autumnal flock of Redwings (40+)at #middletonlakes this morning. Also 2 Marsh Harriers 2 Ruff 2 Dunlin 3 Pochard and well above 50 Snipe the other highlights #staffsbirdnews
The largest flock of Golden Plover I've had on the patch for a few years (25) was a reward for being out in the rain this morning #middletonlakes Also a single Ruff 2 Dunlin 29 Snipe 2 Goosander 2 GWE #staffsbirdnews
Pec Sand and at least 2 Ruff still - #middletonlakes this morning #staffsbirdnews
On holiday on the south coast not far from this Semipalmated Sandpiper. Rude not to, especially with views like this!
HELP NEEDED! There is a stranded Manx Shearwater in the West Midlands (SOLIHULL) that needs a ride back to the coast. Can anyone in that area help? Even to take it some of the way and pass on to another volunteer? Please call 01437 723193 if you can help 🙏
Quick whizz around Middleton this morning. Pec Sand still with 4 Ruff 4 Ringed Plovers 4f Pochard 15+ Snipe the highlights #staffsbirdnews. Be aware of expected disturbance tomorrow as cattle being moved.
Pectoral Sand on #middletonlakes Jubilee North from the benches this morning #staffsbirdnews #ukbirding
Still good numbers of Clouded Yellow #middletonlakes yesterday (10th). Bird-wise 2 Ruff Ringed Plover 12 Snipe Peregrine Marsh Harrier (2 reported) Hobby Stonechat and a reported Osprey (photo seen) were the highlights. Also a dead Pipistrelle bat. #staffsbirdnews #ukbirding
The updated results from Saturday's West Midlands All-Day Birdwatch plus a list of the 135 species recorded across the 18 participating sites (equal to Autumn 2026's total) together with a breakdown of Blithfield's record breaking score. #WestMidsAllDayer @westmidbirdclub.bsky.social
To my surprise given high water levels and lack of muddy fringes at Middleton we were on 92 species at midday #WestMidsAllDayer Don't see anyone beating Blithfield or Belvide with their water levels tbh
This morning #middletonlakes 2 Greenshank 2 Ruff still Dunlin 4 Ringed Plover 4 LRP 6 Green Sand C Sand 5 Snipe 2 juv Stonechats
Highlights from #middletonlakes this morning - 2 Ruff still Greenshank Yellow Wag 4+ Green Sand 4 Hobbys 4 LRP 12 Snipe 6+ C Terns Wigeon 2 GWE Barn Owl #staffsbirdnews #ukbirding
Ruff Blackwit 2 Green Sand Peregrine Hobby juv Stonechat 2 GWE 2 LRP 10+ C Terns #middletonlakes this morning #staffsbirdnews
2 Humming-bird Hawk-moths in my Nuneaton garden this morning. Not great photos but they're fast!
Still a single Wood Sand on West Scrape #middletonlakes this morning 4 Green Sand on Jubilee North 8+ C Terns 3 LRP juv Redshank 8 Snipe 2 GWR Marsh Harrier reported #staffsbirdnews
The Black-crowned Night Heron on Middleton Lakes last night #staffsbirdnews #ukbirding
@bcwarwickshire.bsky.social I've just had a Hummingbird hawk- moth in my Nuneaton garden. I had 2 good views of about 2 minutes and 1 minute but unfortunately it flew as I got my camera so I didn't get a photo. First one I've ever seen in the midlands!
Juv Marsh Harrier Dunlin Blackwit 7 juv C Terns 3 Green Sand and plenty of Hirundines the highlights at #middletonlakes this morning. Still plenty of Bittern activity #ukbirding #staffsbirdnews
A juvenile Bittern trying to get another feed from it's parent who responds aggressively. Staffs/Warks border. #middletonlakes #staffsbirdnews #ukbirding
x.com/i/status/207... I had trouble uploading this video of an adult Bittern feeding its young at #middletonlakes this morning so I've posted it on X. Shared with permission.
x.com
The two drake Garganey have been on East Scrape #middletonlakes all morning. Nothing new in that I could find #staffsbirdnews
Drake Garganey moving between Jubilee South and East Scrape was the only sighting of note early this morning #middletonlakes #staffsbirdnews
Other highlights were a flock of 9 Ringed Plover with 2 Dunlin, all of which flew north leaving just 2 RP with the usual double figures of LRP 8+ Redshank 2 C Sand 4 C Terns and over 20 adult Avocets #staffsbirdnews
Steve Atkinson@steveatkinson.bsky.social · 6mo agoGrey Plover on #middletonlakes this morning. Also the first 4 Avocet chicks have hatched #staffsbirdnews #ukbirding
Grey Plover on #middletonlakes this morning. Also the first 4 Avocet chicks have hatched #staffsbirdnews #ukbirding
4 Wood Sandpipers were the highlights on #middletonlakes this morning. A Wryneck was photographed by someone but no sign later and I none of the birders I met saw it. 2 Greenshank now too #staffsbirdnews
