Birds of Keele

Mallard The deciduous woodland at Keele holds a good resident population of the commoner species such as Nuthatch, Treecreeper and Great Spotted Woodpecker with a few pairs of Stock Dove and Jay. The coniferous plantations hold Goldcrests and Coal Tits as well as an occasional Sparrowhawk nest. Buzzards and Ravens are frequently seen and now nest on campus.

Summer migrants include Swallow, House Martin, Chiffchaff and Blackcap. In the winter the areas of Larch towards the M6 and Alder around the lakes attract small flocks of Redpoll and Siskin.

Keele is particularly well endowed with Yews and these can attract large numbers of wintering thrushes as well as Greenfinches. In some years the outbreak of spangle gall on the oaks can attract large numbers of thrushes and Wood Pigeons to the floor of the deciduous woodland. Some of the denser woodland can attract sizeable roosts of birds in the winter, generally of thrushes and Wood Pigeons. Of particular note is the large Holly hedge by Chemistry, once one of the largest of its kind. This regularly houses a roost of finches in the winter.

The lakes on campus have a small breeding population of Mallard and Moorhen. Canada Goose and Little Grebe have started to nest on the top lake and Mandarin has bred on lake 5. Mute Swan used to breed here but no longer do so. Kingfishers occasionally pass through and we sometimes see Grey Wagtails too.

The surrounding farmland can hold large numbers of Lapwing in the winter with the occasional flock of Golden Plover. In recent years there has been an increase in the number of Curlews heard during the breeding season. The large sports fields provide a good feeding area for wagtails and hirundines in the summer and Black-headed Gulls with occasional Common Gulls in the winter.

The list that follows is a complete record of all the species that have occurred at Keele over the past 35 years. New additions or updated information are always welcome. The sequence is not alphabetical but follows the recognised order used in all field guides.

Please email any sightings to me or by post to Geography, Geology and the Environment, William Smith Building.

The List updated - 1st May 2013

As well as my own, these records are based on sightings by a number people; in particular Bill Low WJL, Neil Carter NC, Nick Pomiankowski NDP, Mark Sutton MS, Malcolm Wright MJW, Steve Turner ST and Andy Lawrence JAL. My thanks to them all. Further records can be sent to me in Geography, Geology and the Environment or by email  d.w.emley@keele.ac.uk.

As well as my own, these records are based on sightings by a number people; in particular Bill Low WJL, Neil Carter NC, Nick Pomiankowski NDP, Mark Sutton MS, Steve Turner ST and Andy Lawrence JAL. My thanks to them all.

Mute Swan Cygnus olor: last bred in 1978. Then, four were introduced in 1980 but they didn't stay. Four flew SE over the village and Lymes Lane on 8/1/05 and two over Drive Lodge on 14/1/12 MS.

Pink-footed Goose Anser brachyrhynchus: regularly recorded passing over North Staffordshire in the early part of the year. Such movements are often in response to cold and freezing conditions on the coast. Here records include a flock of 60 flying over on 3/1/01 NC; 115 NW on 4/1/03 MS and 100 on 29/12/03 NC. One was seen feeding on the field in front of Keele Hall on 12/2/04 MS. In 2005 a skein of 250 passed over NW on 22nd January and a total of 280 on the 23rd MS. Up to 1150 flew over in five skeins on 6/2/10 and a skein of 100 passed over on 17/1/11 DWE.

Canada Goose Branta canadensis: a pair was seen on several dates from 19th March to April 2003, around the pool opposite Drive Lodge MS. A pair bred on Lake1 in 2010 – the first breeding record for 30 years. They have since bred each year.

Shelduck Tadorna tadorna: three flew over Clock House Drive on 22/4/12 MS.

Mandarin Aix galericulata: a small colony on the nearby Mainwaring estate is probably the source of birds visiting Keele. Records include;  two females/immatures which flew from lake 5 towards Clayton on 26/5/04; a pair on Lake 3 on 27/5/05; a pair on 25/03/06 and two pairs on lake 1 on 27/3/07. A pair bred in 2007, probably close to lake 5 while a pair displayed on Lake 1 on 26/3/10. A pair circled the Clock House on 23/3/11 DWE.

Eurasian Wigeon Anas penelope : a female was seen on Lake 1 on 18/11/03 MS.

Eurasian Teal Anas crecca : three were seen on the pool opposite Drive Lodge on 25/8/01 and a pair on Lake 2 Feb to March 2006 and on 27/3/07 MS, one on Lake 7 on 9/01/10 MS and two pairs on a pool opposite Drive Lodge on 5/3/11 MS.

Mallard Anas platyrhynchus: resident, four or five pairs. A total of 38 was seen on Lake 1 on 24/11/03.

Shoveler Anas clypeata: three birds (1 female and 2 males) circled low over Drive Lodge on 19/3/2000. MS

Pochard Aythya ferina: a rare winter visitor. Only 1 or 2 old records.

Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula: one or two pairs used to be found regularly on lakes 1, 2 and 5. One was seen on Lake one on 15/7/10 NDP, one on 26/3/11 MS and a pair there on 2/5/12 Stu McBain.

Goldeneye Bucephala clangula: a female was seen on the lake 1 on 14/10/89 NC.

Goosander Mergus merganser: a male flew low over the phase 3 site 13/02/10 MS.

Quail Cortunix cortunix : one was flushed from a cereal field along Lymes Road on 21/7/05 MS.

Red-legged Partridge Alectoris rufa: occasionally recorded on the fields adjacent to the motorway. The last record was of two on 17/3/05 between Drive Lodge and Lymes Road MS.

Grey Partridge Perdix perdix: a once common breeder on adjacent farmland but the last record is 25/4/86 NC.

Pheasant Phasianus colchicus: common breeder in surrounding woodland and fields.

Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo: occasionally recorded flying over.

Grey Heron Ardea cinerea: occasionally seen flying over but they also visit the lakes for fish.

Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis: two or three pairs used to be found on lakes 1,2 and 6 then, after an absence of five or six years, one was seen on Lake 1 on 15/4/10. They have since bred. Subsequently three overwintered in 2010/11 and there were five on 14/01/13.

Red Kite Milvus milvus: one flew over Drive Lodge on 6/6/04. It had a red tag on the left wing MS. One was seen by Home Farm 25/4/07 JAL, one over the campus entrance on 27/9/08 (Pat Callaghan) and one over Keele Hall on 2/6/10 DWE.

Goshawk Accipiter gentilis: one was flushed from a tree at the bottom of Clock House Drive on 16/3/03 NC.

Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus: breeds nearby and is frequently seen flying over.

Common Buzzard Buteo buteo: once a rare bird in Staffordshire (first Keele record 4/5/75 Mike Paffard), it now breeds here and nearby. Wandering birds are often seen flying over and a group of seven circled over the top lakes in spring 2004 and eight were seen over Springpool Wood on 1/3/12. Up to two pairs have bred.

Osprey Pandion haliaetus: one flew over campus on 9/9/97 NC.

Kestrel Falco tinnunculus: a common visitor to the campus, especially the areas of rough grassland around Phase 3 and towards the motorway.

Merlin Falco columbarius: there is a record of a bird flying over the sports field in the 1970s and a male on 12/3/82 DWE. A male was pursuing Linnets over the Phase 3 site on 22/3/09 NDP.

Hobby Falco subbuteo: records include single birds flying over Drive Lodge 31/5/00 and 23/5/03 MS, one in a tree on Lymes Road 2/8/03, one over Keele Hall on 22/7/04 NC, one over IC2 on 19/5/06 ST, one over campus on 3/6/10 ST, one over the Terrace on 5/8/10 DWE, one over Drive Lodge on 22/7/12 MS.

Peregrine Falco peregrinus : a probable female was hunting over the fields between the Campus and M6 on 23/02/05 at around 7.30. It was perching in trees along Lymes Lane / Clock House Drive MS. One was seen over Home Farm on 7/8/07, one flew over Clock House Drive on 3/9/08 MS and another on 6/10/08 JAL, one over Drive Lodge on 28/4/12 MS.

Water Rail Rallus aquaticus: singles were seen in 1972, on  6/12/73, 21/3/74 and another on 22/2/96; all at the base of the waterfall between lakes 1 and 2 DWE.

Moorhen Gallinula chloropus: one or two resident pairs.

Coot Fulica atra: a once common breeder and absent for many years until two appeared on the top lake on 04/10/09. There have been occasional records since but no breeding.

Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus: one in a field by the M6 19/5/03 NC,  one flew over campus on 11/5/05 DWE and two were on the sports field on 8/6/08 (Pauline Weston). Has bred at nearby Cudmore Fisheries.

European Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria: there are occasional records of birds flying over in winter, usually with Lapwings, but in recent years there has been a wintering flock on the fields alongside Lymes Road. Counts there include 200 in March 2003, a flock of 145 on 29/12/03 and 200+ on February 28th/29th 2004 and 120 on 23/1/05, 800 on 9/4/07, 470 on 6/4/08, 200 on 25/11/08, 170 on 14/1/12.

Northern Lapwing Vanellus vanellus: breeds on fields adjoining the motorway. Also occurs in small flocks in the winter along Lymes Road; often with Golden Plovers. They used to breed on Home Farm but since the construction of Phase 3, they no longer do so.

Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus : there are a couple of records in the early 1970s of birds calling while flying overhead at night. One passed over Drive Lodge on 2/8/03,  one flew over Clock House Drive on 8/5/08 and one was on Phase 3 on 13/04/10 MS.

Curlew Numenius arquata : breeds in fields nearby and is sometimes seen or heard flying over campus.

Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus : one was seen along Lymes Road 18/8/08 NC.

Common Sandpiper Tringa hypoleucos : one was seen flying south over campus on 12/9/78 WJL.

Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus : one flew over campus on 21/10/03 DWE.

Greenshank Tringa nebularia : one flew over the old sewage works site 18/9/85 DWE.

Woodcock Scolopax rusticola : birds are sometimes disturbed from the woodland towards the motorway (1974, 29/3/76, 7/12/77). More recently, one was seen over the Day Nursery on 17/1/03 and another was found dead by the Library on 25/3/03. Other records include one on 8/11/08 between Lymes Road and Drive Lodge, one in Stacy Plantation on 8/1/09, one over Keele Hall 9/01/10 and one in the garden of Drive Lodge 11/4/13 MS.

Snipe Gallinago gallinago : as well as occasional records of birds flying over in the winter there were nine in a field by Keele Hall on 3/1/04 and six on 17/1/04 and six by the Lodge on Clock House Drive on 2/3/04 NC. A flock of up to 100 wintered in a field by Clock House Drive in 2006/7.

Jack Snipe Lymnocryptes minimus : one was flushed from the Phase 3 site on 06/01/13 MS.

Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybrid : a flock of four, that had earlier been seen over Northwich, was seen flying over Clock House Drive on 20/5/05 MS. This is the first county record since 1970 of this national rarity.

Common/Arctic Tern Sterna sp.: one unidentified bird flew over the new development at the top of Keele bank on 26/06/08 ST. This is the first record of either of these two species.

Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla : on was found dying in the Student’s Union car-park on 13/2/72.

Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus : can be seen flying over at any time of year but is more common in winter when they may be seen on the sports fields or flying westwards in the evening to roost, possibly at Doddington Pool.

Mediterranean Gull Larus melanocephalus : one was seen with other gulls in a newly-manured field between Lymes Road and the M6 Services on 19/1/09; one al ploughed field along Lymes Road 13/02/10 MS.

Common Gull Larus canus : occasionally seen flying over in the winter.

Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus : commonly seen flying over in the winter months.

Iceland Gull Larus glaucoides : a juvenile over Drive Lodge 8/1/12 had been frequenting a rubbish tip at the foot of Keele Bank for some weeks MS.

Yellow-legged Gull Larus michahellis : a near adult bird was seen with Lesser Black-backed Gulls in fields along Lymes Road 22/1//11 MS.

Herring Gull Larus argentatus : commonly seen flying over in the winter months.

Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus : only a few records of birds flying over each winter. The latest was a first-winter bird that flew over the campus on 28/2/04 MS.

Stock Dove Columba oenas : a few pairs breed in the woodland. They can also be seen in small numbers on the surrounding fields in winter.

Wood Pigeon Columba palumbus : breeds and roosts in the thicker plantations. Common in flocks on surrounding fields in winter.

Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto : a common resident.

Turtle Dove Streptopelia turtur: only three records : 1973, 13/5/77 and 15/5/2007 MS.

Rose-ringed Parakeet Psittacula krameri : one by the Clock House 23/1/06 Russell Toon.

Cuckoo Cuculus canorus : occasionally heard on passage in the spring; bred in 1972. Last records were on 25/5/04 in Springpool Wood, 27/4/11 over Drive Lodge MS and 28/4/11 in Clock House Drive Ian Wright.

Barn Owl Tyto alba : seen near Keele village on several occasions in February 2002 and captive-bred birds were released near Whitmore in the past.

Little Owl Athene noctua : breeds on nearby farmland.

Tawny Owl Strix aluco: one or two pairs breed in the area.

Swift Apus apus : a common summer visitor. There are two exceptionally late dates : 5/11/76 and 26/11/76 and an early date of 30/4/77.

Kingfisher Alcedo atthis: occasionally seen flying over the lakes.

Hoopoe Upupa epops : one in Clock House Drive on 12/5/75 Dr. Ross

Green Woodpecker Picus viridus : occasionally heard in the spring with one record of breeding. Three were seen on Observatory Ridge on 24/9/94 NC; one near the sports field on 29/7/03; one along Lymes Road on 5/10/03, one by Lake 1 on 12/2/04 MS, one in Springpool Wood 15/4/05 Malcolm Wright, one in Springpool 4/3/08 – 19/3/08 DWE, Debbie Knight.

Great Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopus major : resident.

Lesser Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopus minor : probably breeds here but is seldom seen. A bird was seen for a week or so by Barnes Dell in 2001. A pair was displaying, drumming (both birds) and calling around Lake 3 on three dates in mid-March 2004 MS. One was seen and heard by Lake 3  on 19/2/05 MS.

Magpie Pica pica : common resident.

Jay Garrulus glandarius : common resident.

Western Jackdaw Corvus monedula : common resident with over 50 on Phase 3 in the winter.

Rook Corvus frugilegus : there used to be a rookery of up to 30 nests near the Students' Union buildings and another by the Library but these have long  gone. Feeding birds are often seen on adjacent farmland.

Carrion Crow Corvus corone : common resident, with over 50 sometimes in winter on Phase 3.

Raven Corus corax : the first record is of four birds, flushed from a field behind Paris Avenue, Westlands on 23/8/97, which then flew over the Observatory WJL. One was seen over Keele village on 20/8/00, one over Drive Lodge on 14/8/01, 2 on 1/1/02, two on 22/3/02 and one on 12/10/03 MS. Two flew west over campus on 27/12/03 Keith Longshaw and one south on 28th/29th February 2004 NC. One was seen from Clock House Drive on 4/1/05 JAL and two were mobbing a Buzzard on 14/1/05 DWE. Has since bred on campus and sightings are now regular.

Goldcrest Regulus regulus : resident; more common in the coniferous plantations.

Firecrest Regulus ignicapilla : one was seen on 1/1/84 near the motorway DWE and another remained from 16/1/03 into February in the Larchwood area, visiting residents' gardens.

Blue Tit Cyanistes caeruleus : common resident.

Great Tit Parus major : common resident.

Coal Tit Periparus ater : common resident, more commonly seen in coniferous areas.

Willow Tit Poecile montana : a rare visitor that was last seen by the Library on 7/9/05 Phil Evans.

Marsh Tit Poecile palustris : a rare visitor. Records include one by Lake 8 on 11/5/05 Phil Evans and one along Lymes Road on 16/6/06 MS.

Skylark Alauda arvensis : breeds on surrounding farmland and sometimes gathers in flocks in the winter, especially on fields near to the M6 service station. Up to 250 were seen there on 6/11/90.

Sand Martin Riparia riparia : occasionally seen flying over.

Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica : a common summer visitor. A very late record on 17/11/77.

House Martin Delichon urbicum : a common summer visitor. A notable decline with only nine nests in 2008 compared to 16 in 2007 NDP.

Long-tailed Tit Aegithalos caudatus : common resident.

Wood Warbler Phylloscopus sibilatrix : used to be heard singing regularly on spring passage in the 1970s but further records until  one was seen and heard by the Clock House on 27/4/10 DWE.

Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita : a common summer visitor with occasional records of overwintering birds.

Willow Warbler Phylloscopus trochilus : a once common summer visitor but numbers have fallen considerably. For example 24 were recorded in song in 1977; in 2002 only four  or five and none in 2012. This is a national trend but the habitat at Keele has now matured and is probably not as attractive.

Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla : a common summer visitor with occasional winter records. A pair breeds most years in the Walled Garden.

Garden Warbler Sylvia borin : an uncommon summer visitor. Records include birds seen on 4/5/06, 12/5/06, 2/5/07, 24/4/08, 28/4/10 and 24/7/11. Has bred in the Walled Garden in 2011 and 2012.

Lesser Whitethroat Sylvia curruca: an uncommon summer visitor with sightings on 6/6/73, 1/5/77, 27/5/03 to 29/5/03, 24/8/07 and in Lymes Road 2/7/11 MS.

Common Whitethroat Sylvia communis : an uncommon summer visitor. Records include sightings on 25-27/4/04, 28/4/08, 9/5/08, 22/5/12. One on Phase 3 16/4/13 and a pair along Lymes Road 30/4/13.

Grasshopper Warbler Locustella naevia: one on 6/5/76 DWE and one by Keele Hall on 01/05/06 MS.

Sedge Warbler Acrocephalus schoenobaenus : one on 17/8/76 DWE.

Waxwing Bomycilla garrulus : there were three in February 1996 following a major influx in which some 4000 were recorded in Britain. A flock of up to 50 was resident in Newcastle at the time. A flock of around 110 flew over Lymes Road on 15/2/05 at a time when flocks of up to 1000 were seen in North Staffs area in January and February MS. One was seen on 3/2/05  in a Larchwood garden Pauline Weston.

Nuthatch Sitta europaea : common resident.

Treecreeper Certhia familiaris : common resident.

Wren Troglodytes troglodytes : common resident.

Starling Sturnus vulgaris : common resident supplemented by winter migrants.

Dipper Cinclus cinclus : one or two old (pre 1970) winter records from the stream by the motorway (between lakes 6 and 7).

Blackbird Turdus merula : common resident with numbers supplemented by migrants in the winter.

Fieldfare Turdus pilaris : common winter visitor. They are attracted to the sports field in had weather.

Song Thrush Turdus philomelos : resident, though numbers reduced in the winter months as birds move southwards.

Redwing Turdus iliacus : common winter visitor. They are attracted to the sports field in had weather.

Mistle Thrush Turdus viscivorus : resident. Flocks of up to 30 can be seen in the autumn, feeding on Rowan and Yew berries.

Ring Ouzel Turdus toquatus : one on Phase 3 / Home Farm site on 15/4/2013 JAL.

Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata : used to occur regularly but now a very uncommon bird. Five were seen on 27/9/76. The most recent records include one near the rugby pitch on 9/6/03, one by Drive Lodge on 1/9/07 MS, but the last was one along Lymes Road 10/5/12 MS.

Robin Erithacus rubecula : common resident.

Pied Flycatcher Ficedula hypoleuca : used to been occasionally in the spring but the last was one on 2/5/96 by old sewage works site D. Woodward. Then a male was seen in the copse (Bears Rough) that borders Lymes Road on 19/4/2013 DWE.

Common Redstart Phoenicurus phoenicurus : very few records, all on spring passage: 1/6/74, 3/5/75, 29/4/05 MS.

Whinchat Saxicola rubetra : very few records on spring passage – mostly from a manure heap along Lymes Road. Last records 2/5/84, 1/5/05 MS, 24/4/07 JALand NC, 9/5/10 MS.

European Stonechat Saxicola rubicola : one along Lymes Road 26/9/2008 JAL and one on Phase 3 9/10/12 JAL.

Northern Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe : two on 26/3/76, one in April 1978, one on the sports field on 10/7/03 and two along Lymes Road on 2/4/05 NC, four along Lymes Road 24/4/07 NC, JAL, two Lymes Road 30/4/08, two on Phase 3 23/4/10 MS, one on Lymes Road 7/4/11MS, one on 30/4/12 Debbie Knight. Two on Phase 3 15/4/2013 JAL, DWE.

Dunnock Prunella modularis : common resident.

House Sparrow Passer domesticus : common resident.

Tree Sparrow Passer montanus : There is a record of 25 being seen around Home Farm in 1977 and there were 12 along Lymes Road from January-March 2003 with three there on October 5th. Small numbers now appear to be regular along Lymes Road.

Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava : occasionally seen in spring. May breed on surrounding fields though it is a scarce species these days. Single were seen along Lymes Road on 1/5/08, 24/4/10 MS, 25/5/12 JAL.

Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea : Frequently seen around the lakes and occasionally around campus buildings. Breeds nearby, if not within the grounds.

Pied Wagtail Motacilla alba yarrellii : resident. Often seen around the campus buildings and frequents the sports fields where large numbers (up to 100) are seen in the autumn.

White Wagtail Motacilla alba alba : one on the lawn below Keele Hall 9/5/02 NC.

Tree Pipit Anthus trivialis : has bred in the past but no longer does so. One over Lymes Road 5/8/2005 was the first record since the 1970s while another was seen over Drive Lodge on 16/8/07 MS.

Meadow Pipit Anthus pratensis : seen or heard on spring/autumn passage. Sometimes seen in winter on surrounding fields and on Phase 3. Twenty were seen on Phase 3 on 26/10/12 JAL.

Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs : a common resident supplemented by winter migrants.

Brambling Fringilla montefringilla : an uncommon winter visitor. Maximum count of 11 in garden of Drive Lodge 17/4/04 MS. A very early bird was seen by Drive Lodge on 9/10/05 MS.

Greenfinch Chloris chloris : a common resident. Sometimes large numbers feed on Yew berries e.g. by the Clock House.

Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis : a common visitor, often seen on thistles in the autumn and occasionally on Alder catkins in Barnes Dell and Larches near the motorway in the winter.

Siskin Carduelis spinus : common winter visitor, feeding on Alder catkins in Barnes Dell and Larches near the motorway in the winter.

Linnet Carduelis cannabina : can occasionally be heard or seen flying over at any time of year. There were 30 along Lymes Road on 20/3/07 NDP. A flock of 210 was on Phase 3 site in March 2009 NDP.

Lesser Redpoll Carduelis cabaret : an uncommon winter visitor when they can be found with Siskins feeding on Alder catkins. In recent years there has been a trend for them to visit resident's gardens and feeding on nyger seed especially.

Crossbill Loxia curvirostra : In years of eruptive dispersal they have been recorded flying over. Records include eight flying low over Drive Lodge 4/3/00 (at this period there were quite a few scattered records in the county); one over Drive Lodge on 22/8/01; one flew over campus on 1/11/02 (again there were flocks on nearby Hanchurch Hills); one flew over on 1/10/03 and another on 7th November. Two flew over campus on 15/8/05 NDP. Four flew over Drive Lodge on 18/4/11 MS and six were seen by Firs Hill on 14/10/11 DWE.

Bullfinch Pyrrhula pyrrhula : common resident.

Hawfinch Coccothraustes coccothraustes : a pair was seen in a Yew by the Keele Village entrance to campus on 21/5/00 MS.

Yellowhammer Emberiza citrinella : breeds on surrounding farmland.

Reed Bunting Emberiza schoeniclus : occasional visitor, more so to residents' gardens in the winter.

EXOTICA

Muscovy Duck Cairina moschata : one on lake 1 from 19-20/5/75

Bald Ibis Geronticus eremita: an Ibis, probably this species, was seen circling high over Home Farm on 24/7/2012 DWE. There had been earlier reports of an escaped bird in the Manchester area so this may have been the same one.

Grey Cockatiel Nymphicus hollandicus : one by the Terrace on 23/1/2006 DWE.

Green Singing Finch Serinus mozambicus : September 1981 in the Covert DWE.