Pleased to have 2 Dewick's plusia to the Ni pheromone lure last night in my Kidderminster garden. This is a garden first for me of this migrant species

Patch mega! Camberwell Beauty at Shenstone/Stone (Worcestershire) this afternoon on Stanklyn Lane then flew towards Heath Lane

I was driving back from Chaddesley Woods NNR this afternoon when my phone rang. I pulled over to call back and then, literally seconds after, a male Yellow Wagtail decides to bath in the puddle infront of the car. Woodrow, Worcestershire

Popped to Bonnie's Tearoom near Grimley today with Mrs K and sat outside to get a view across part of Wildgoose NR. As we were tucking into our tea & cake we were lucky enough to have one of the Cuckoos there fly across and perch on the wires next to us.

Was pleased to find a Yellow Wagtail on my local patch at Heath Lane, Stone (Worcestershire) this afternoon. Yellow Wagtails are generally a spring migrant through my patch but some years they will actually breed here.

One of 4 Wheatears (3m 1f) that were present on a ploughed field along Stanklyn Lane yesterday.

Was pleased to see a male Redstart in the paddocks along Stanklyn Lane again this afternoon.

Male Redstart early pm (after rain) at Stanklyn Lane paddocks but flew off high after a couple of minutes. Also, Male Yellow Wagtail at Heath Lane model aircraft field on plough with 2 White Wagtail and 5 Pied. Stone/Shenstone (Worcs.)

3 White Wagtails on ploughed field at Heath Lane, Stone (Worcs) early afternoon

A pair of Peregrines were perched up on one of the pylons along Stanklyn Lane (Stone) yesterday afternoon. What's interesting is that you can clearly see the size difference between the sexes. The male (at the top) is the much smaller bird.

The Hartlebury Common Local Group's next indoor meeting is on Tuesday 10th February 2026, when Shropshire County Council Ranger Guy Border will be giving a talk about Severn Valley Country Park. Guy weill talk how the area has been developed from a former coal mine to the wildlife haven it is now

The Hartlebury Common Local Group's next meeting is on Tuesday 11th Nov 2025, when I will be giving a talk entitled "The Wildlife of Worcestershire." The talk will look at the various habitats within the county and some of the wonderful fauna & flora it supports.

The Group's next indoor meeting is on Tuesday 14th October 2025, when Hartlebury Common transect recorder Stephen Field will be giving a talk entitled "Butterflies Bounce Back; the Ups & Downs of the 2025 Summer on Hartlebury Common." Further details on attached photo

3 Stonechat new in at Stanklyn Paddocks this afternoon

Clouded Yellow back at Stanklyn today. First sighting in just over a month.

Female Wheatear present at Elmley Lovett (Worcestershire), this afternoon. Nice to see a bit of passage through the fields

Sadly, the field where Clouded Yellows were at Stanklyn has been cleared. Just bare soil now. It also had loads of mugwort and fat hen as well as lucerne and looked ideal for autumn whinchat. I'm gutted

At least 2 Clouded Yellow now present this afternoon at Stanklyn Lane near Kidderminster. A male coming close to front edge of field at times & a female observed egg laying by Mike Williams of Butterfly Conservation at rear of field. Still very mobile & not settling for photos.

No photos as was too mobile but I've had a Clouded Yellow at Stanklyn Lane (Stone, Worcestershire) this evening showing in the weedy harvested bean field opposite junction with Heath Lane. Its been 12 years since I last recorded one here!

30th June 2025 - Blackstone Meadows (near Bewdley). Mating pair of Club-tailed Dragonflies. I have seen many Club-tailed over the years but never a pair in cop. This is because shortly after emerging from the river they spend most of their adult life in woodland canopies @worcswt.bsky.social

Nice to see the male Whinchat found by Terry Hinett at Stanklyn this afternoon. Was a bit distant for photos (hence the over cropped record shot) but it was a joy to see all the same.

Popped To Monkwood NR this afternoon. Highlights included Drab Looper, Wood White, Cuckoo, Garden Warbler and Lesser Spotted Woodpecker. @worcswt.bsky.social @bc-westmids.bsky.social

A few photos of this afternoon's Wheatear at Elmley Lovett #Worcsbirding

Found my first Wheatear of the Spring at Elmley Lovett (Worcs.) this afternoon

I had my first male Emperor moth of the year to the pheromone lure on Hartlebury Common yesterday afternoon.

Pleased to find my first Scarlet Tiger caterpillar of the year on my allotment plot today munching on a leaf of purple sprouting broccoli. Kidderminster

3 Brambling (2m 1f) with mixed finch/bunting flock near Elmley Lovett yesterday. Also nearby, 25 Corn Bunting and 2 Stonechat at Shenstone (Worcs.) #Worcsbirding #ukbirding

28 Corn Buntings were present at Shenstone (Worcs) this afternoon. Nearby at Elmley Lovett, a female Brambling was present with mixed finch/bunting flock

The Hartlebury Common Local Group's next indoor meeting is on Tuesday 11th February, when local Ecologist Phillip Playford will give a talk on Bats. The meeting is at the Elizabeth Mills Centre, Sion Gardens, Stourport-on-Severn DY13 8BH. 7:45 pm start and admission is £3.00 (cash only).

Part of the flock of 120 Lapwing that were in fields between Shenstone and Rushock (Worcestershire). 28th January 2025

Had a stunning adult male Merlin over Heath Lane model aircraft field at 2pm. After hawking low over field it flew off towards Stanklyn but unable to relocate. Stone/Shenstone (Worcs.) #worcsbirding #ukbirding

What happened to the supposed migration of all us birders to Blue Sky due to Musk being a twat? I posted the same last bird sighting post on both platforms & had 20 likes on X and 2 on Blue Sky. Far less engagement. Will keep the two running for now but do wonder if Blue Sky was a just fad

17 Corn Buntings just off Stanklyn Lane yesterday afternoon and 2 more at Butt's Lane. Pair of Stonechat still present at Stanklyn Paddocks. Stone/Shenstone (Worcestershire)

12 Yellowhammer near Elmley Lovett this afternoon

This Saturday (18th January 2025) from 8:30 am the Hartlebury Common Local Group have arranged for a bird ringing demonstration to take place on Hartlebury Common. The event is being led by BTO licensed bird ringer Jessica Stuart-Smith. (Further details on attached image.) All are welcome

Peregrine on pylon at Stanklyn early afternoon

47 Lapwing up over Witch Lane, Shenstone (Worcs.) this afternoon

1 Brambling with c200 Chaffinch near Elmley Lovett (Worcestershire) this afternoon

The Hartlebury Common Local Group's next indoor meeting is on Tuesday 10th December 2024 when licensed bird ringer Jess Stuart-Smith will give a talk entitled "An Introduction to the BTO Bird Ringing Scheme". The talk starts at 7:45 pm and admission is £3.00 (cash only). All are welcome.

97 Lapwing still present at Shenstone (Worcs) early pm and 2 Stonechat still at Stanklyn

This cold weather is certainly mixing things up a bit. It was great to find a Dipper along Hoo Brook at Spennells Valley NR (Kidderminster) this afternoon. First time I've ever seen one there.

Today's wintry weather put down good numbers of Winter Thrushes around the fields and lanes at Stone/Shenstone (Worcs) including this very brightly coloured indivdual that was perched up in trees opposite the model aircraft field. It really stood out even in the crap light

Lapwing numbers continue to build at Shenstone (Worcs.). 87 counted when they went up over fields between A450 and Heath Lane

c.40 Lapwing at Shenstone (Worcs) dropped into field between Heath Lane and A450 this afternoon. Also a pair of Stonechat at Stanklyn Paddocks.

2 female Stonechat new in at Shenstone/Stone (Worcs) today. Also of note were 2 Corn Bunting perched up singing at Stanklyn

The Hartlebury Common Group's next indoor meeting is on Tues 8th October 2024 when Roger Meade will give a talk entitled Rich Fen, Poor Fen, Tall Fen, Bogs. The meeting is held at the Elizabeth Mills Centre, Sion Gardens, Stourport, DY13 8BH. The talk starts at 7:45 pm. Adm. is £3.00 (cash only)

Kestrel - Woodrow, 12th September 2024

Whinchat still present at Elmley Lovett this afternoon

A Whinchat was new in at Elmley Lovett this afternoon (distant record shots attached). No sign of any present at Stanklyn today

The Hartlebury Common Local Group's next indoor meeting is on Tues 10th Sept 2024 when local falconer Steve Woodison will talking to the group about Owls, Hawks & other Birds of Prey. Steve will also be bringing with him some of his birds for the group to meet.