2019

Recorders are indicated by their initials:

DWE - Dave Emley
JAL - Andy Lawrence
MS - Mark Sutton
JB - Joshua Broster

November 13 : Stonechat along Lymes Road by the manure heap JAL.

October 11 : a flock of about 50 Redwings were feeding below Keele Hall on Rowan berries and in the adjacent field DWE.

August 12 : a late Swift over Home Farm David Gould.

June 27 : a Muntjac Deer was seen by the Observatory at lunchtime. This is the second sighting on campus David Gould.

June 21 : three Lapwings flew over Home Farm David Gould.

June 16 : two Bee Orchids were found at a site on central campus. They are the first records for Keele. Phase 3 development site had Common Blue butterflies and Azure and Blue-tailed Damselflies DWE.

May 22 : Azure Damselfly on the wing at Phase 3 site. Also there, Whitethroat and Reed Bunting, both in song DWE.

May 20 : Two Spotted Flycatchers, including one by Lake 7 MS.

May 15 : Spotted Flycatcher; first for the year and an uncommon species at Keele MS.

May 2 : First Lesser Whitethroat of the year for Keele was singing along Lymes Road along with the usual 2 Whitethroats. 2 Garden Warblers (pair?) near lake 6 and first 2 Swifts of the year flew over MS.

April 29 : Garden Warbler near lake 6, 2 Greylags over Clock House Drive and at least 1 Brambling calling from the trees besides Drive Lodge MS.

April 25 : a Crossbill was in the conifer plantation near lake 6, Grasshopper Warbler and 2 Whitethroats singing along Lymes Road, still at least 4 Bramblings in trees around the village campus entrance MS.

April 23 : first Whitethroats of the year along Lymes Road (MS) and Memorial Garden (DWE). A new plant for Keele - Common Stork's-bill. DWE. Still 8 Bramblings along Lymes Road MS.

April 16 : 15 singing Blackcaps, 2 pairs of Grey Wagtails, 2 singing Willow Warblers and a pair of Linnets MS.

March 29 : Red-legged Partridge, Blackcap and 1 Brambling MS.

February 26 : 7 Buzzards were seen circling over Home Farm. David Gould.

February 19 : First real sign of some Spring bird movement this year with a flock of 103 Lapwing circling over the development area JAL.

February 2 : An impressive c34 Blackbirds were counted feeding in the garden of Drive Lodge MS.

January 1 : For birders the year begins with a New Year Count. Mark and Linda Sutton saw 44 species at Keele. Here they are for your interest;
Mute Swan - 2x flyover, Mallard, Pheasant, Grey Heron, Buzzard, Moorhen, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Stock Dove, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Tawny Owl, Little Owl, Kingfisher, Jay, Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Raven, Coal Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Goldcrest, Wren, Nuthatch, Treecreeper, Starling, Blackbird, Fieldfare, Redwing, Song Thrush, Mistle Thrush, Robin, House Sparrow, Dunnock, Pied Wagtail, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Lesser Redpoll, Goldfinch, Bullfinch. A good total by any standards.