Smestow Valley Birding

Apologies for my absence on the blog. Work and home commitments are still quite heavy.

Firstly brief high-lights of the few visits I have made to the valley so far this month:

Sunday 7th July 2013

Yellow Wagtail - seen lifting off the new wetland at Compton at 09:00 and calling as it headed off to the NE.

Hummingbird Hawk Moth - a species that is expanding it's range North as a result of climate change. This individual was darting with audible wing-beats between emerging Willow Herb flowers by the canal at between Compton Lock and Prefab Weir. The abdomen pattern showed surprisingly well in flight and its speed was certainly up there with that of dragonflies. It eventually shot off North along the canal.

Coal Tit - family party again seen near Compton Lock.

100's of Garden Chafer beetles flying around the Barleyfield. plus a lot of Ringlet butterflies and Red-tailed Bumble-bees.

3 Buzzard soaring over Tettenhall Ridge.

First 2 returning adult Black-headed Gulls at Compton Park.

Late P.M: Silver Ground Carpet Moth (Xanthothoe montanata) - Compton Rough.

Sunday 14th July 2013

Black-headed Gull - 16 adults at St. Peter's Playing Fields and 27 Adults at the entrance to the Academy at Compton Park.

Swift - good to see 17+ at Newbridge, South of Tettenhall Road. Also a Collared Dove over and a Nuthatch calling near the station, the latter appearing scarcer this year.

Goldfinch - the Thistle parties have started!!! With 4 at the North end of the Barleyfield.

Common Whitethroat - a bit late for breeding but this male has appeared at Compton Rough and seems to be holding a territory between Compton Lock and Prefab Weir

Insect Life:

Flesh Fly (Sarcophaga carnaria) - attracted to carrion and carcasses. The female gives birth to live young

Greenbottle (Lucilia caesar) - larvae found in rotting carcasses and sometimes  attracted to open wounds, making it another of Nature's "cleaners"

Hover-fly (Helophilus pendulus) - sunbathing. These favor wet wooded habitats  and the males are often seen hovering over water. Their larvae live in stagnant water.

Hover-fly (Syrphus ribesii) - our commonest hover-fly. These have multiple broods and are a gardeners friend, since their larvae feed on aphids (Greenfly, Blackfly and Whitefly)

There are 25,000 species of Longhorn Beetle!!!! This one looked like Leptura rubra  but lacked the yellow lower legs???

Another puzzle!! There are over 500 species of Sawfly in Britain. I have narrowed this one down to one of three species. When I get more time next Month I shall study the pics to see whether it was Tenthredo notha, Tenthredo arcuata or Tenthredo brevicornis. Although this individual is enjoying pollen, it will take small insects and is probably  reliant on clover species for it's larvae to feed on, which the Barleyfield provides- thanks to good management:



OTHER NEWS

Another positive Advisory Group meeting, with so many caring individuals in attendance.

As promised Wolverhampton City Council and Ranger Service will be providing this blog with updates as to any work planned in the valley, in advance of it's commencement. Thank you.

Also, Wolverhampton City Council have offered to work with this blog in order to provide information to local residents and schools, regarding the natural assets of the valley, and also to publicize local events that are organised by the many groups and associations that exist along the valley.

On a negative note, since attending the meeting, I have had a lot of concerned people contacting me with regard to proposals for development of "The Cedars" site at Compton Road.

At the start of August I shall be obtaining more detailed information, including any consultation processes that are planned. I shall provide updates in due course. To this end thank you to the growing number of local residents who enjoy and contribute to this blog and to the protection of the Valley and it's borders.

It was fitting for me to have walked along the valley from Compton Park to the old Station at Newbridge, before this meeting commenced.

It was a glorious sunny and warm evening. Comma Butterflies were courting in the paddocks, and the liquid song of Blackcap's accompanied me pretty much all the way.

Was the tranquil feel of nature about to be broken by a cold meeting where yet again man (and woman!) tramples all over Mother Nature with selfish plans?

NO NO NO!!!!!!

The evening started with a bosting cuppa and a chat about Warblers with Ian from the Ranger Services. And it finished with news that a Peregrine had been spotted taking prey and heading off towards an area of the City Centre, and a caring enquiry from the same Community Council member as to where he might be able to take his son to see our star singing Willow Tit!!!

In between.... a birders heaven!!!!!

News of community projects like WREN that are creating information boards aimed specifically at birds and other wildlife. Another plan that will add native flowers to our canal towpath's.

A report from the Conservation Projects Manager and Nature Improvement Area Programme Manager, from The Wildlife Trust for Birmingham and the Black Country. This included news that the deculveting of Graisley Brook, could soon commence, following a water level survey, so that there is hope that Reed bunting may soon breed again around the Barleyfield!!!

News that we have an Environmental Awareness Officer, who will work with this blog and other community organisations to provide information to local residents and advertise who we are and what we do and to spread the word regarding the success of projects like the WREN canal improvement project.

So many comments from members of the local Community Council  and Tenant's and Residents Association, which showed strong sympathy for the valley's wildlife.

An agreement that from late Summer, detailed work-plans will be available on a quarterly basis so that I can explain the works and their benefits before a spade has been lifted.

Acknowledgement that the Conservation & Access Management Plan, can evolve as a result of future sharing and observations, but speaking for myself, it looks an amazing enhancer of bio-diversity in the valley as it stands.

An offer from the council to provide me with tools that I can include on this blog to encourage children to enjoy and learn more about nature in the valley and so to hopefully nurture our next Clement's family!!!!!!

Discussions relating to the future of the W.E.C (Wolverhampton Environment Centre), that acknowledged it's value to wildlife.

Wide support for the creation of "Belvide - like" work parties to help carry out projects to enhance the valley.

In short, we are just so lucky....... to have a Council that is meeting it's responsibilities for bio-diversity head on...............to have funds secured from the Nature Improvement Area to bring a management plan to life......and to have the local Community Council and Tenants and Residents Association, holding such a caring and passionate approach to their work and the flora and fauna of the valley.

It is so fitting that as the Smestow Valley Bird Group disbands, the fruits of it's tireless years of recording and lobbying, are now being reported.

These are exciting times, not just for the Valley and it's Wildlife. The Advisory group is also working immensely towards another of the key aims from the Management Plan's Vision Statement - FORGING PARTNERSHIPS.

I have come away from my first meeting, wanting so much to support those volunteer groups that exist in the valley and to use the voice of this blog to help make every venture, project or event of theirs a success. To this end I will be developing links from this blog through liaison with those individuals that kindly provided their contact details at the meeting.

Thank you to all who made me feel welcome. I am a bit rusty and appreciate the kindness and consideration whilst I settle in.

The next meeting is scheduled for 16th July 2013.