2004

9th October : a very early Brambling by Keele Lodge. (Mark Sutton)

22nd August : 7 Buzzards, a Sparrowhawk and a Hobby were seen above Keele Hall at the same time while a Peregrine was seen along Lymes Road (Neil Carter).

12th August : A Broad-leaved Helleborine orchid was found in the copse behind the Library and a Buff Footman moth - a new species for Keele - was seen on a tree trunk.

17th July : A Ringlet was seen by the old sewage works site. This is a first record for Keele (N. Pomiankowski)

6th June : A Red Kite was seen flying over Drive Lodge at tree-top height, heading towards the village. This is the first record of this species at Keele. (M. Sutton).

26th May : two female/immature Mandarins in flight over the old sewage works. They flew from the direction of lake 5 , towards Clayton. This is the first record for Keele, though up to 7 pairs nest on the Mainwaring Estate at Whitmore. (M. Sutton).

25th May : Cuckoo calling in Springpool Wood.

24th May : Yellow Wagtail along Lymes Road - may be breeding here. (N. Carter).

17th May : Cuckoo calling by Drive Lodge. (M. Sutton).

8th May : Spotted Flycatcher in the copse between Dive Lodge and Lymes Road. (M.Sutton).

1st May : Lesser Spotted Woodpecker calling by Lake 3. (M. Sutton).

25th + 27th April : Whitethroat: singing by the observatory. (M. Sutton)

22nd April : Blackcap: first noted in wood by Drive Lodge. (M. Sutton)

17th April : Willow Warbler; first noted in wood by Drive Lodge. (M. Sutton)

6th April : A Curlew is frequenting the fields where Lymes Road meets the Keele-Whitmore road.

29th March : warm weather resulted in an influx of Chiffchaffs in the area. Two were singing on campus. A hibernating Peacock butterfly was also encouraged to sally forth.

20th March : Chiffchaff near the old sewage works (M. Sutton).

9th March : A Curlew was heard behind Keele Hall. One or two pairs breed in the area.

28th/29th February 2004: Neil Carter reported the following:- pair of Little Owls in the field opposite Keele Lodge; 200+ Golden Plover in fields either side of Lymes Road; a Raven heading south; three Buzzards; deer tracks seen in the snow - these are the first sightings of deer on campus.

26th February : a flock of 100 Lapwing and 100 Golden Plover was flushed from fields to the north of Clockhouse Drive by a Buzzard.

12th February : a Pink-footed Goose was seen feeding in the large field in front of Keele Hall - the first record of one actually on the ground! A Green Woodpecker was heard by the top lake (M. Sutton)