July was another excellent month at Belvide, with Black-necked Grebes, a site-first Stone Curlew and the return of autumn wader passage providing the main highlights.

⭐ Bird of the Month – Stone Curlew

The standout record was undoubtedly the juvenile Stone Curlew on 25 July.

• Belvide's first ever record

• Present on the north shore throughout the day

• Only the 4th record for Staffordshire

June was a month of transition at Belvide – the exceptional rarities of May gave way to breeding activity and the first signs of autumn migration. The standout birds were the Curlew Sandpiper, Little Stint, White Wagtail, Green Sandpiper, Osprey and returning Black-necked Grebes, while the breeding season produced some excellent results, particularly Shoveler, Gadwall, Lapwing, Common Tern and Great Crested Grebe.

June 2026 at Belvide – highlights

• Curlew Sandpiper – a 1st-summer bird dropped in with a Dunlin on 3 June.

• Little Stint – present on 6 June, departing east at 10:32am.

• Green Sandpiper – the first returning bird was recorded on 16 June, signalling the beginning of autumn migration.

• White Wagtail – an unusual June record on 9–10 June.

Could I please ask if any members stop off in the Blithfield Sailing club car park to park as close to the car park entrance as possible, i.e. as far from the club house as possible. The first main reason is that a lone female sailing club member was conceerned about entering the club which had cars parked next to it on a non sailing day causing some alarm and the practical element to leave as much space for Sailing Club members. If I may I would also request that members check they have locked the gates behind them on entry and exit for security reasons given the value of the boats stored on site - many thanks Mark

I’ve received a request vis SSW about parking at Stansley Wood Court. Could I please remind member that this area is private parking for residents and to park at P2 in the layby opposite the Cottages and walk via the drive or paths to Beech Tree Point - see map below - many thanks Mark

I’m sure most members will have seen the issues related to fires on Cannock Chase and also nationwide. I fully appreciate that members will be extra careful during this exceptionally dry period but hopefully members don’t mind me raising the need for as much care as possible to ensure the safety of other site users and the fabulous habitat we have at Blithfield - many thanks Mark

Please see attached sightings at Blithfield for July. As always many thanks to Peter Betts for collating with best regards Mark

See our blog for this tribute.

See our blog for this tribute.

I’m really pleased to let you know that the Forward Hide has now been reroofed and is open for business - the plan is to do the Dairy House Reach hide roof next - thanks to the SSW team, with best regards Mark