Chapter II: Birds

BY R. W. CHASE.

The district surrounding Birmingham does not present any striking or special feature to the ornithologist; but owing to its varied character, comprising as it does hill and dale, with considerable stretches of moorland and a plentiful supply of water, in rivers, reservoirs and pools, it forms haunts particularly attractive to birds.

The number of local species recorded is large, consisting of about sixty residents, forty-two migrants, and eighty occasional and rare visitors; making a total of one hundred and eighty-two species.

The large number of marine or littoral species occurring so far inland is an interesting fact to be noted, and from the records of such species as the Curlew Sandpiper, Turnstone, Ring Dotterel, Common and Arctic Terns, much valuable information might be brought to bear upon some of the knotty problems of migration. It is principally during autumn that such species are noticed, and invariably the examples obtained are immature, or birds of the year.

The classification and synonymy used in this brief summary is in accordance with the fourth edition of “Yarrell’s British Birds.”

ACCIPITRES.

FALCONIDÆ.--Golden Eagle, _Aquila chrysaetus_, has occurred at Needwood. White-tailed Eagle, _Haliætus albicilla_, has occurred at Cannock Chase. Osprey, _Pandion haliætus_, very rare; has occurred at Witton, and near Lichfield. Peregrine Falcon, _Falco peregrinus_, rare visitor; one shot at Olton, near Solihull, in December 1880; it has also occurred at Packington, Water Orton, and Polesworth, near Tamworth. Hobby, _F. subbuteo_, frequently taken by the birdcatchers in their nets. It has bred in Warwickshire. Merlin, _F. æsalon_, not common; more frequently observed in the autumn. Kestrel, _F. tinnunculus_, common and generally distributed. Sparrow Hawk, _Accipiter nisus_, common. Kite, _Milvus ictinus_, has occurred at Polesworth, near Tamworth. Common Buzzard, _Buteo vulgaris_, an occasional visitor; has occurred at Alcester and Sutton Coldfield. Rough-legged Buzzard, _B. lagopus_, very rare; twice obtained in the neighbourhood of Coleshill. Honey Buzzard, _Pernis apivorus_, very rare; has occurred at Stoneleigh. Hen Harrier, _Circus cyaneus_, a rare visitor; has occurred at Alcester. Marsh Harrier, _C. æruginosus_, very rare; has been obtained at Elford, near Tamworth.

STRIGIDÆ.--Tawny Owl, _Strix aluco_, fairly common in wooded districts. Long-eared Owl, _Asio otus_, fairly abundant and breeds here. Short-eared Owl, _A. accipitrinus_, an autumn migrant. Barn Owl, _Aluco flammeus_, abundant.

PASSERES.

LANIIDÆ.--Great Grey Shrike, _Lanius excubitor_, frequently occurs during autumn and winter; it has been taken at Wylde Green, November 14th, 1871, and at Rubery Hill, October 31st, 1881. Red-backed Shrike, _L. collurio_, generally distributed and breeds here.

MUSCICAPIDÆ.--Spotted Flycatcher, _Muscicapa grisola_, a common summer visitor. Pied Flycatcher, _M. atricapilla_, rare.

ORIOLIDÆ.--Golden Oriole, _Oriolus galbula_, one was obtained at Barton, near Tamworth.--“Zoologist,” 1871, p. 2639.

CINCLIDÆ.--Dipper, _Cinclus aquaticus_, very rare in the district; one was shot at Handsworth, January 12th, 1882.

TURDIDÆ.--Missel Thrush, _Turdus viscivorus_, common and breeds here. Song Thrush, _T. musicus_, common. Redwing, _T. iliacus_, winter visitor. Fieldfare, _T. pilaris_, winter visitor. Blackbird, _T. merula_, abundant everywhere and increasing. Ring Ouzel, _T. torquatus_, not common, has occurred at Wylde Green and Gravelly Hill.

SYLVIIDÆ.--Hedge sparrow, _Accentor modularis_, abundant. Redbreast, _Erithacus rubecula_, common and resident. Nightingale, _Daulias luscinia_, not very plentiful throughout the district, but to be found fairly numerous in favoured localities, and breeds here. Bluethroat, _Ruticilla suecica_, very rare; once occurred near Birmingham, (“Yarrell’s British Birds,” Vol. i., p. 322). Redstart, _R. phœnicurus_, common summer visitor. Stonechat, _Saxicola rubicola_, and Whinchat, _S. rubetra_, are to be met with in suitable localities. Wheatear, _S. œnanthe_, common in spring; generally arrives about the middle of March, Reed Warbler, _Acrocephalus streperus_, a summer visitor and breeds here. Sedge Warbler, _A. schœnobænus_, plentiful throughout the district. Grasshopper Warbler, _A. nævius_, far from common; has occurred at Barnt Green, Alcester, Sutton, Tamworth; breeds here sparingly. Whitethroat, _Sylvia rufa_, abundant in summer. Lesser Whitethroat, _S. curruca_, not so abundant as the previous species. Garden Warbler, _S. salicaria_, common summer migrant. Blackcap, _S. atricapilla_, locally distributed. Wood Wren, _Phylloscopus sibilatrix_, common during summer, especially in the neighbourhood of Selly Oak. Willow Wren, _P. trochilus_, abundant. Chiffchaff, _P. collybita_, one of the earliest summer migrants. Golden-crested Wren, _Regulus cristatus_, frequently breeds here.

TROGLODYTIDÆ.--Wren, _Troglodytes parvulus_, abundant.

CERTHIIDÆ.--Tree Creeper, _Certhia familiaris_, common; especially in Sutton Park.

SITTIDÆ.--Nuthatch, _Sittia cæsia_, generally to be met with where old trees abound. Aston, Edgbaston, and Sutton Coldfield are localities where it has been observed.

PARIDÆ.--Titmouse, _Parus_. This genus is well represented, those species which occur being plentiful.

AMPELIDÆ.--Waxwing, _Ampelis garrulus_, rare; has occurred at irregular intervals; one shot in the grounds of Aston Hall, by a gamekeeper of James Watt, Esq., about the year 1845, and another at Rednal, Jan. 30, 1882.

MOTACILLIDÆ.--Pied Wagtail, _Motacilla lugubris_, common. Grey Wagtail, _M. sulphurea_, has been observed several times in full summer plumage, and probably breeds in the district. Yellow Wagtail, _M. raii_, regular summer migrant. Tree Pipit, _Anthus trivialis_, not rare, but local. Meadow Pipit, _A. pratensis_, common.

ALAUDIDÆ.--Sky Lark, _Alauda arvensis_, resident and common. Wood Lark, _A. arborea_, rare.

EMBERIZIDÆ.--Snow bunting, _Plectrophanes nivalis_, rare; has occurred at Harborne. Reed Bunting, _Emberiza schœniclus_, generally to be met with in suitable localities. Yellow Bunting, _E. citrinella_, abundant. Bunting, _E. miliaria_, frequent.

FRINGILLIDÆ.--Chaffinch, _Fringilla cœlebs_, common. Brambling, _F. montifringilla_, occasionally occurs in the winter. Tree sparrow, _Passer montanus_, very local in distribution. House Sparrow, _P. domesticus_, abundant everywhere. Hawfinch, _Coccothraustes vulgaris_, more plentiful than formerly; now breeds regularly in the district. Greenfinch, _C. chloris_, common. Goldfinch, _Carduelis elegans_, scarce. Siskin, _C. spinus_, occasionally occurs in the winter. Lesser Redpoll, _Linota rufescens_, common and resident. Linnet, _L. cannabina_, common and resident. Bullfinch, _Pyrrhula europæa_, generally distributed throughout the district. Crossbill, _Loxia curvirostra_, rare; a pair were shot in Aston Park about 1845; it has also occurred at Solihull and Wylde Green.

STURNIDÆ.--Starling, _Sturnus vulgaris_, abundant and resident.

CORVIDÆ.--Crow, _Corvus corone_, not rare. Grey crow, _C. cornix_, mostly noticed during winter; the nest of this species was taken in Sutton Park, May, 1883. Rook, _C. frugilegus_, abundant and increasing. Jackdaw, _C. monedula_, common. Magpie, _Pica rustica_, common in localities not strictly preserved. Jay, _Garrulus glandarius_, common in large woods.

HIRUNDINIDÆ.--Swallow, _Hirundo rustica_. Martin, _Chelidon urbica_, and the Sand Martin, _Cotyle riparia_, are all common summer visitors.

PICARIÆ.

CYPSELIDÆ.--Swift, _Cypselus apus_, summer visitor, rather local.

CAPRIMULGIDÆ.--Night-jar, _Caprimulgus europæus_, generally distributed; frequenting woods adjoining heaths; especially plentiful in Sutton Park.

CUCULIDÆ.--Cuckoo, _Cuculus canorus_, summer migrant.

UPUPIDÆ.--Hoopoe, _Upupa epops_, an accidental visitor; has been shot at Witton, Quinton, Oscott, and Baddesley near Tamworth.

ALCEDINIDÆ.--Kingfisher, _Alcedo ispida_, fairly numerous; to be met with on most of the rivers and brooks.

PICIDÆ.--Green Woodpecker, _Gecinus viridis_, not common, but breeds. Greater spotted Woodpecker, _Dendrocopus major_, scarce. Lesser spotted Woodpecker, _D. minor_, often obtained, but by no means common. Wryneck, _Jynx torquilla_, summer migrant, rather local in distribution.

COLUMBÆ.

COLUMBIDÆ.--Ring Dove, _Columba palumbus_, common. Stock Dove, _C. œnas_, not numerous, but often met with. Turtle Dove, _Turtur communis_, occurs in considerable numbers and breeds here.

PTEROCLETES.

PTEROCLIDÆ.--Pallas’ Sand Grouse, _Syrrhaptes paradoxus_, very rare; has occurred in Staffordshire; also at Swinfen near Tamworth. (“Zoologist,” 1873, p. 3,801).

GALLINÆ.

TETRAONIDÆ.--Black grouse, _Tetrao urogallus_, formerly common, now nearly extinct; a brace shot in Sutton Park, October, 1871. Red grouse, _Lagopus scoticus_, very rare.

PHASIANIDÆ.--Pheasant, _Phasianus colchicus_, common in preserves. Partridge, _Perdix cinerea_, common. Red-legged partridge, _Caccabis rufa_, occasionally met with; has been shot at Ladbrook, and Great Barr. Quail, _Coturnix communis_, rare; has been obtained near Tamworth.

FULICARIÆ.

RALLIDÆ.--Land Rail, _Crex pratensis_, common summer migrant. Spotted Crake, _Porzana maruetta_, occurs more frequently in autumn; the nest has been taken in Sutton Park. Water rail, _Rallus aquaticus_, more rare than formerly. Moor Hen, _Gallinula chloropus_, common. Common Coot, _Fulica atra_ not rare.

ALECTORIDES.

OTIDIDÆ.--Little Bustard, _Otis tetrax_, once at Thickthorn, near Tamworth.

LIMICOLÆ.

CHARADRIIDÆ.--Cream-coloured Courser, _Cursorius gallicus_, has been obtained at Yoxall. Dotterel, _Eudromias morinellus_, very rare; has occurred at Cannock Chase 1875, and at Perry Barr, 1882. Ringed Plover, _Ægialitis hiaticula_, rare; occasionally met with in autumn. Golden Plover, _Charadrius pluvialis_, rare. Lapwing, _Vanellus vulgaris_, common and resident. Turnstone, _Strepsilas interpres_, very rare. Oyster-catcher, _Hæmatopus ostralegus_, has been obtained at Yoxall.

SCOLOPACIDÆ.--Red-necked Phalarope, _Phalaropus hyperboreus_, has occurred once at Tamworth. Woodcock, _Scolopax rusticula_, rare. Great Snipe, _Gallinago major_, one obtained at Polesworth and another is said to have been seen in Sutton Park(?). Common Snipe, _G. cœlestis_, winter visitor; breeds here in small numbers. Jack Snipe, _G. gallinula_, winter visitor; not numerous. Dunlin, _Tringa alpina_, very rare; has occurred at Small Heath. Curlew Sandpiper, _T. subarquata_, rare; a small flock seen in the neighbourhood of Barnt Green in September, 1885. Ruff, _Machetes pugnax_, very rare; once occurred at Sutton Coldfield. Bartram’s Sandpiper, _Bartramia longicauda_, once near Warwick, on October 31st, 1851 (Zool. pp. 3,330, 3,388, 4,254). Common Sandpiper, _Totanus hypoleucus_, summer visitor; it is probable this species breeds in the district. Wood Sandpiper, _T. glareola_, very rare, once occurred at the Sewage Farm. Green Sandpiper, _T. ochropus_, has occurred at Packington, near Tamworth. Redshank, _T. calidris_, rare; has occurred at the Sewage Farms; also at Sutton Coldfield and near Tamworth. Greenshank, _T. canescens_, occasional visitor in autumn; has occurred at Castle Bromwich. Curlew, _Numenius arquata_, rare; has occurred at Great Barr and Polesworth.

GAVIÆ.

LARIDÆ.--Black Tern, _Hydrochelidon nigra_, often occurs in spring and autumn. Sandwich Tern, _Sterna cantiaca_, occasional visitor; more frequently observed towards autumn. Common Tern, _Sterna fluviatilis_, often observed during spring and autumn migration; chiefly birds of the year during the latter period. Arctic Tern, _S. macrura_, the same remarks apply to this species as to _S. fluviatilis_. Sabine’s Gull, _Xema sabinii_, once occurred near Coleshill, in October, 1883. Black-headed Gull, _Larus ridibundus_, not rare; frequently met with during spring on some of the large reservoirs. Lesser Black-backed Gull, _Larus fuscus_, rare; has been shot at Bromsgrove and Handsworth. Great Black-backed Gull, _L. marinus_, once occurred at Shustoke, September 20th, 1874. Large Gulls are often observed passing over, which probably belong to this species. Common Gull, _L. canus_, rare, has been shot near Alcester. Kittiwake Gull, _Rissa tridactyla_, rare; occasionally seen during winter. Pomatorhine Skua, _Stercorarius pomatorhinus_, very rare; considering the unusual number of Skuas that appeared during the autumn of 1879, it is rather surprising that more examples were not noticed in this district, very few being shot. Buffon’s Skua, _S. parasiticus_; an immature bird was shot on Lichfield Racecourse in October 1874.

TUBINARES.

PROCELLARIIDÆ.--Manx Shearwater, _Puffinus anglorum_; an immature bird was picked up exhausted in the Chandos road in this town, September 5th, 1880. Forked-tailed Petrel, _Cymochorea leucorrhoa_, very rare. One picked up September 4th, 1883, dead in a yard, in Guildford street in this town, and subsequently recorded in the local papers as _Procellaria pelagica_. Stormy Petrel, _P. pelagica_, has occurred too many times to particularize each instance.

PYGOPODES.

ALCIDÆ.--Little Auk, _Mergulus alle_, very rare; several instances are on record of its occurrence in the district, one was obtained in November, 1863. Puffin, _Fratercula arctica_; one picked up in Broad street in this town, in an exhausted condition, 1884.

COLYMBIDÆ.--Great Northern Diver, _Colymbus glacialis_, very rare; one was obtained at Tipton, January 8th, 1877.

PODICIPEDIDÆ.--Great crested Grebe, _Podiceps cristatus_, generally distributed throughout the district, and far from rare; breeds regularly at Sutton Coldfield, Little Aston, and Barnt Green. Sclavonian Grebe, _P. auritus_; one shot at Sutton Coldfield, in December, 1868. Little Grebe, _P. fluviatilis_, not rare; breeds sparingly in suitable localities; small flocks or families are often observed during the autumn and winter, especially on the river Tame.

STEGANOPODES.

PELECANIDÆ.--Common Cormorant, _Phalacrocorax carbo_, a rare occasional visitor. Shag, _P. graculus_, very rare; has occurred twice in the neighbourhood of King’s Norton, also near Tamworth. The Gannet, _Sula bassana_, one taken exhausted in a field of potatoes near Tamworth.

HERODIONES.

ARDEIDÆ.--Common Heron, _Ardea cinerea_, generally to be met with. There are several Heronries in the county of Warwick. Little Egret, _Ardea garzetta_, said to have been obtained at Sutton Coldfield, many years ago. Night heron, _Nycticorax griseus_, one obtained near Alcester. Common Bittern, _Botaurus stellaris_, more rare than formerly; a great many examples have been obtained from time to time, especially in the neighbourhood of Sutton Coldfield.

ODONTOGLOSSÆ.

PHŒNICOPTERIDÆ.--Flamingo, _Phœnicopterus roseus_; one stated to have been shot in the neighbourhood of Wolverhampton, but probably an escaped bird.

ANSERES.

ANATIDÆ.--Brent Goose, _Bernicla brenta_, scarce; two shot at King’s Norton, October 24th, 1882, during stormy weather; has also been obtained near Tamworth. Flocks of geese are often observed passing overhead, but of course it is impossible to determine to what species they belong. Canada Goose, _B. canadensis_, has been shot several times in the district, whether escaped specimens or not, it is difficult to say, as this species is often kept in a semi-wild state. Mute Swan, _Cygnus olor_, is to be found upon many large pools and ornamental waters; breeds here plentifully. Polish Swan, _C. immutabilis_, once occurred at Earlswood reservoir. Ruddy Sheld-Duck, _Tadorna casarca_, has been shot at Nechells, also at Yardley Wood; probably escaped birds. Common Sheld-Duck, _T. cornuta_, rare visitor. A magnificent male was shot at Hawkesbury, near Coventry, in 1881. Mallard, _Anas boscas_, plentiful on some pools; breeds throughout the district. Gadwall, _A. strepera_, very rare; one shot near Lichfield in December, 1873. Shoveller, _Spatula clypeata_, formerly bred in Staffordshire, but very scarce of late years; one shot at Sutton Coldfield, in 1867. Teal, _Querquedula crecca_, sparingly met with, a few pairs breed in the district; the nest has several times been taken in Sutton Park. Widgeon, _Mareca penelope_, winter visitor; often seen in large flocks upon the reservoirs and pools during severe weather. Scaup, _Fuligula marila_, has occurred once at Wichnor near Tamworth. Pochard, _F. ferina_, rare; has been shot near Tamworth. Tufted Duck, _F. cristata_, very rare; a male was shot in Aston Park many years ago, by a gamekeeper of James Watt, Esq. Golden Eye, _Clangula glaucion_, one shot near Tamworth. Goosander, _Mergus merganser_, an accidental visitor in winter; specimens obtained are generally either immature birds or females. Red-breasted Merganser, _M. serrator_, very scarce; only young birds have been obtained. Smew, _M. albellus_, very rare. A female was shot on the canal at Selly Oak, about fifteen years ago. Another example of this species was obtained at Elford, near Tamworth.