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.