Here I will tell you more about my bird watching sites and what they are like.
RSPB Sandwell Valley- RSPB Sandwell Valley is a great nature reserve, it offers many birds rich areas to feed and nest. The reserve has a hide (lakeside hide) and a centre where you can get more information about the reserve and the surrounding area. Common species include Cormorants, Coots, Moorhen, Buzzard, Canada goose, and Goldeneye. I have also seen Smew (female) and a Barnacle goose on this sight. Also a Cettis warbler has been seen on the site (2012)
Essington quarry pool- Essington quarry pool is a great pool its not a reserve but is a great place to watch birds and other wildlife. The pools common species include, Black headed gull, Peregrine Falcon, Little owls, and Little grebes. I have also seen Ring Ouzel (the first in WM last year (summer)), Red crested pochard, and many more.
Upton warren- Upton Warren is a great reserve that offers many wading birds a chance to feed and nest, the reserve has three pools and one of those is a salt marsh which attracts many wading birds each year including Avocets (summer) which bred successfully last year. Many birds seen on the reserve include, Water rail, Avocet, Bittern, Green sandpiper and many more.
Gailey (permit only)- Gailey is a west midlands birding reserve (permit only) and is a very popular place for grebes including Red necked grebe, Slavonian grebe, and obviously great crested. The reserves common species include, Black headed gull, Little grebe (Dabchick), Grey heron and many more. Birds I have seen on the reserve include, Black redstart, Red necked grebe, Hobby.
Chasewater- Chasewater is a hot spot for gulls and wading birds, the lake used to be a boating pool but at the moment it is under construction and has become a nice quiet place for many birds. Common birds here include, Black headed gull, Lesser black backed gull, Coot, Moorhen and teal. Birds I have seen here include Iceland gull, Yellow legged gull, Short eared owl, Great northern Diver, and many more.
Bartley green reservoir- Bartley green reservoir is a great urban bird watching area that is great for roosting gulls and many wading birds. Birds regularly seen here include Black headed gull, lesser black backed gull, Golden eye, Tufted duck and many more. I have seen, a black grey heron on this site.
Belvide (permit only)- Belvide is a great reserve for gulls and wading birds the reserve is also good for ducks. Common birds seen here are Black headed gull, Lesser black backed gull, Goldeneye and many more. Birds I have seen there include, Sabines gull, Manx Sheerwater, and many more.
Bournville boating pool- Bournville boating pool is a small place usually home to a club that use remote controled boats. The pool is home to a small number of birds such as Black headed gulls, Lesser black backed gulls, mallard, and many more. Birds that I have seen there include, Canada goose, A goose that could be a snow goose.
Cannock Chase- Cannock chase is a great place to go birding on a nice day, the chase has lots of heathland which attracts Dartford warblers. The chase also attracts Woodlark, Raven (breeding pair), and Great grey shrikes.
Middleton Lakes and Dosthill- Middleton Lakes has recently become a RSPB reserve and is a great place for waders, and ducks, birds I have seen here's include Little Egret, Kingfisher, and Golden Plover. Dosthill is right next to Middleton lakes but is not part of the reserve, unlike Middleton lakes Dosthill comes under the county of Warwickshire, it is good for mainly ducks and Waders, birds I have seen there include, Golden eye and Long tailed Duck.
