60 species around a dank Branston GPs first thing - nothing spectacular but tardy year ticks with Green Woodpecker, Yellow-legged Gull + Bullfinch. On to Whitemoor Haye - juv Marsh Harrier, 2 Slavonian Grebe, 3+ Grey Partridge + Barnacle Goose. @staffsbirdnews.bsky.social @alrewasbirder.bsky.social

There are few Baikal Teal (Sibirionetta formosa 花脸鸭 Huāliǎn yā) wintering at the Yellow River estuary in Shandong Province. Photo by "菜小hua". #birds #china #yellowriver

Once again i'm having to remind birders that all of Whitemoor Haye is footpath/ road only. There is no access in to any of the quarry, ots clearly signed. Currently there are 3 chaps that have climbed over a gaye, activating security @staffsbirdnews.bsky.social @westmidbirdclub.bsky.social

Clun Castle last night the magic happened! @omsystem.bsky.social

A quick call into Whitemoor Haye this morning - 5 Grey Partridge in the Merlin field was the headline with 2 Slavonian Grebe on roadside pit, 2 Great White Egret and 12 Golden Plover in flight also of note. @staffsbirdnews.bsky.social

Hill Hook NR mega!! Barnacle Goose on the Mill Pool with Canadas and Greylags @ruthnewby.bsky.social @ecorecord.bsky.social @jamiehicken.bsky.social

Sightings from Hill Hook NR in recent days include drake Goosander, Little Egret, max count of 6 large gulls (3 Herring + 3 Lesser Black-backed), 4 Greylag Geese, Little Grebe feeding in a small pocket of unfrozen water, a large roving flock of Redpoll + Siskin and Raven over @ecorecord.bsky.social

It’s time to end the Guga hunt.

Prolonged close views (down to 6 foot at times) of a stunning Firecrest in Sutton Park this morning, just off the main track low in holly north of Hollyhurst. Later a wheezing Brambling between Longmoor Pool and Queens Coppice with Raven over, also new for 2026. @ecorecord.bsky.social

The great thing about adverse weather is it mixes the birds up a bit. This weekend at Hill Hook NR saw my highest count of large gulls on Saturday (3 Herring + 3 Lesser Black-backed) following by 104 roosting geese this morning (10 Greylag, 93 Canada + 1 Canlag). @ecorecord.bsky.social

First visit of 2026 to Blithfield; much more water than when I last saw it in the autumn. Red-throated Diver off causeway, 2 Russian White-fronted Geese + 2 Scaup (♂️ off Watery Lane, imm in Blithe Bay). Year ticks with 4 Snipe, Collared Dove, Coal Tit + Pink-footed Goose @staffsbirdnews.bsky.social

Like Frodo venturing into Mordor I snuck into the badlands of Derbyshire this morning - 8 Tundra Bean Geese showing well at Willington GPs. A smart male Marsh Harrier & Water Rail were year ticks; also Green White Egret. 1+ Cattle Egret at Eggington SE of Ash Grove Lane @derbyshirebirds.bsky.social

A morning in the Trent/Tame Valley yielded 20 year ticks including 2 Russian White-fronted Geese, 3 Whooper Swan, 3 Slavonian Grebe, Great White Egret, Golden Plover, 3 Red-crested Pochard, Common Sand + Shelduck. Good to see the remodelled foreshore at Ashy Pit, Branston GPs.

Having missed the female Pochard at Hill Hook NR over recent days, it was nice to find a drake this afternoon. 8 Cormorant equalled my record count, also 15 Moorhen & 30 Tufted Duck (2 female Shoveler still New Years Eve). Jay & Mandarin Duck on Keeperw Pool were year ticks in a snowy Sutton Park.

Thank you for all the votes across Twitter, Bluesky + Facebook for West Midlands Bird of the Year 2025. The flock of 8 White-rumped Sandpiper at Belvide in October was the worthy winner with 41% of 169 votes; an exceptional occurrence anywhere but certainly so miles inland. Woodchat was 2nd with 31%

What a way to start the year on my local patch. Landed on the beach for a few minutes then flew off west.

A morning out in North Warwickshire to start the New Year - 3 Cattle Egret by farm at Bodymoor Heath, c15 Red-legged Partridge south of Hurley, Yellow-browed Warbler at Hurley Common and drake Scaup at Shustoke Reservoir but no sign of White-fronted Geese at Kingsbury Water Park.

Four worthy contenders have reached the final of West Midlands Bird of the Year 2025 - who will come out top with votes across Twitter, Facebook and Bluesky 1️⃣ Woodchat Shrike, Stafford 2️⃣ White-rumped Sandpiper, Blithfield 3️⃣ Night Heron, Grimley 4️⃣ 8 White-rumped Sandpiper, Belvide 📊 Show results

An exceptional year mothing with 347 species recorded in the garden beating my previous best of 306 by a huge margin. Numbers bolstered by my first venture into the world of Clearwings. 60 additions to the garden list with headliners probably being Gem + Obscure Wainscot @bcwarwickshire.bsky.social

Not the greatest year birding locally: Staffs tick in Woodchat at Doxey + Upton Warren tick with RN Duck. Also an amazing 8 White-rumped Sand at Belvide, Black Kite, Night Heron, Hoopoe, RN+Grey Phal, Glossy Ibis, Temmincks Stint, terrific return wader passage at Blithfield + PF Goose on local patch

2025 was the year of the clawback with 6 lifers - Booted Eagle in Cornwall (didnt go for 2000 bird), Song Sparrow at Flamboro, Siberian Thrush on Shetland (dipped Fife bird), Black-faced Bunt at Spurn (dipped Lincs bird), Mourning Dove on St Agnes (dipped Rhum bird) + Lsr Crested Tern on Exe Estuary

Insect watching was a little slow in 2025 but managed to add Large Tortoiseshell in Orlestone Forest, Kent in March and Vagrant Emperor at Carlton Marsh, Suffolk in June. Northern Emerald and Queen of Spain Fritillary are the targets for 2026

Four worthy contenders have reached the final of West Midlands Bird of the Year 2025 - who will come out top with votes across Twitter, Facebook and Bluesky 1️⃣ Woodchat Shrike, Stafford 2️⃣ White-rumped Sandpiper, Blithfield 3️⃣ Night Heron, Grimley 4️⃣ 8 White-rumped Sandpiper, Belvide 📊 Show results

The Grimley Night Heron and Blithfield White-rumped Sandpiper make it through to the final of West Midlands Bird of the Year 2025. Now for the second semifinal 1️⃣ 8 White-rumped Sand, Belvide 2️⃣ Red-necked Phal, Upton Warren 3️⃣ Woodchat, Stafford 4️⃣ Great Grey Shrike, Cannock Chs 📊 Show results

The Grimley Night Heron and Blithfield White-rumped Sandpiper make it through to the final of West Midlands Bird of the Year 2025. Now for the second semifinal 1️⃣ 8 White-rumped Sand, Belvide 2️⃣ Red-necked Phal, Upton Warren 3️⃣ Woodchat, Stafford 4️⃣ Great Grey Shrike, Cannock Chs 📊 Show results

Now the business end of West Midlands Bird of the Year 2025 with the first semi-final - top two progress to Wednesday's final 1️⃣ Golden Oriole, Ladywalk 2️⃣ White-rumped Sand, Blithfield 3️⃣ Grey Phalarope, Belvide 4️⃣ Night Heron, Grimley 📊 Show results

Young friend of mine has just found this in the Nethybridge area of Highland this morning. No further details as yet #ukbirding

Now the business end of West Midlands Bird of the Year 2025 with the first semi-final - top two progress to Wednesday's final 1️⃣ Golden Oriole, Ladywalk 2️⃣ White-rumped Sand, Blithfield 3️⃣ Grey Phalarope, Belvide 4️⃣ Night Heron, Grimley 📊 Show results

My first Warwickshire Yellow-browed Warbler by the sewage treatment works at Hurley Common late afternoon. Also probable Siberian Chiffchaff, 2 nominate Chiffchaff, Stonechat + Tree Sparrow calling from hedgerow. Cattle Egret by farm buildings at Bodymoor Heath. @mercianbirding.bsky.social

7 Goosander (all redheads) in Sutton Park on Keeper's Pool plus 2 Crossbill perched briefly in tree tops immediately to the south. Drake Goosander and a site record count of 8 Cormorant on the Mill Pool at Hill Hook NR at dusk. @ecorecord.bsky.social @ruthnewby.bsky.social

The Blithfield White-rumped Sand + Upton Warren Red-necked Phal progress to the semifinals of West Mids Bird of the Year 2025. Now the last qualifier with votes across X, FB & Bluesky 1️⃣ Blithfield wader passage 2️⃣ Marbled Duck, Longdon 3️⃣ 8 WR Sands, Belvide 4️⃣ Golden Oriole, Ladywalk 📊 Show results

The Blithfield White-rumped Sand + Upton Warren Red-necked Phal progress to the semifinals of West Mids Bird of the Year 2025. Now the last qualifier with votes across X, FB & Bluesky 1️⃣ Blithfield wader passage 2️⃣ Marbled Duck, Longdon 3️⃣ 8 WR Sands, Belvide 4️⃣ Golden Oriole, Ladywalk 📊 Show results

The Stafford Woodchat Shrike + Belvide Grey Phalarope through to semi-final of West Midlands' Birds of the Year 2025 with votes across Twitter, Facebook + Bluesky. Now for Round 3 1️⃣ Hoopoe, Lapal 2️⃣ Grey Phalarope, Draycote 3️⃣ White-rumped Sand, B'field 4️⃣ Red-necked Phal, Upton W 📊 Show results

The Stafford Woodchat Shrike + Belvide Grey Phalarope through to semi-final of West Midlands' Birds of the Year 2025 with votes across Twitter, Facebook + Bluesky. Now for Round 3 1️⃣ Hoopoe, Lapal 2️⃣ Grey Phalarope, Draycote 3️⃣ White-rumped Sand, B'field 4️⃣ Red-necked Phal, Upton W 📊 Show results

Cannock Chase Great Grey Shrike + Grimley Night Heron through to semi-final of West Mids' Birds of the Year 2025 with votes across X, FB + Bluesky. Now for Round 2. 1️⃣ Hawfinch flock, Bewdley 2️⃣ Woodchat, Stafford 3️⃣ Night Heron, Middleton 4️⃣ Grey Phalarope, Belvide 📊 Show results

Cannock Chase Great Grey Shrike + Grimley Night Heron through to semi-final of West Mids' Birds of the Year 2025 with votes across X, FB + Bluesky. Now for Round 2. 1️⃣ Hawfinch flock, Bewdley 2️⃣ Woodchat, Stafford 3️⃣ Night Heron, Middleton 4️⃣ Grey Phalarope, Belvide 📊 Show results

Another trip to the Trent/Tame Valley this morning. Cattle Egret at Comberford (nice find @TameBirding) with 10 Little Egret + 1 GW Egret; also 6 Red-legged Partridge. Then on to Whitemoor Haye - 2 drake Red-crested Pochard, 2 Slavonian Grebe + the escaped Red-breasted Goose.

Round 1 of West Midlands' Bird of the Year 2025. Top 2 will qualify for the semifinals (quotes aggregated from Bluesky X and Facebook) 1️⃣ 2 Lesser Scaup, Belvide 2️⃣ Great Grey Shrike, Cannock Chase 3️⃣ Glossy Ibis invasion 4️⃣ Night Heron, Grimley 📊 Show results

Round 1 of West Midlands' Bird of the Year 2025. Top 2 will qualify for the semifinals (quotes aggregated from Bluesky X and Facebook) 1️⃣ 2 Lesser Scaup, Belvide 2️⃣ Great Grey Shrike, Cannock Chase 3️⃣ Glossy Ibis invasion 4️⃣ Night Heron, Grimley 📊 Show results

Round 1 of West Midlands' Bird of the Year 2025. Top 2 will qualify for the semifinals (quotes aggregated from Bluesky X and Facebook) 1️⃣ 2 Lesser Scaup, Belvide 2️⃣ Great Grey Shrike, Cannock Chase 3️⃣ Glossy Ibis invasion 4️⃣ Night Heron, Grimley 📊 Show results

Slavonian Grebe, Merlin, Great White Egret and Goldeneye at Whitemoor Haye late afternoon. 7 Goosander (2 males + 5 females) in Sutton Park on Keeper's Pool. c65 Canada Geese, 4 Greylag Geese, 2 Herring Gull and 4 Corrmorant at Hill Hook NR on Mill Pool.

It's the most wonderful time of the year - the start of the annual "West Midlands' Bird of Year" poll tomorrow. Get your voting fingers ready!

Fortunate that my visit to Whitemoor Haye coincided with @tamebirding.bsky.social finding a 2nd Slavonian Grebe on roadside pit, both showing close together on the far side. 3 each of Little Egret & Great White Egret + good numbers of wildfowl but low passerine numbers @staffsbirdnews.bsky.social

The Snowy Owl has been declared Regionally Extinct in Sweden. For the first time in 20 years, the country has officially lost a bird species. - www.birdlife.org/news/2025/12... #BirdingScotland #UKBirding Attributed to a combination of climate change and disruption to the lemming cycle. A tragedy.

A false dawn at Dawlish Warren yesterday; no sign of the Lesser Crested Tern despite an early morning report. Eventually distance views of it miles up the estuary before far more obliging close views roosting on shoreline off Cockwood - a real pot of gold. My 6th lifer of the year.

Late afternoon in Sutton Park - 3 redhead Goosander on Keepers Pool and a Buzzard repeatedly flushing roosting pigeons and thrushes from the tree tops. @ecorecord.bsky.social

A dull and moist WEBS count at Hill Hook HR was slightly enlivened by my first site drake Goosander of the winter, the continued presence of Shoveler and a first winter Herring Gull (still uncommon here) @ecorecord.bsky.social @ruthnewby.bsky.social @jamiehicken.bsky.social

Hill Hook NR at lunchtime - 3 Shoveler (mff) on the Mill Pool plus Little Grebe, 2 Cormorant, Greylag Goose, c25 Tufted Duck and a smeggy Canlag. Nuthatch, Siskin, Redpoll and Coal Tits in the woods. @ecorecord.bsky.social @ruthnewby.bsky.social

No sign of yesterday's Pink-footed Goose on the Mill Pond at Hill Hook NR this morning (goose numbers reduced to just 2 Canadas). Drake Shoveler, Little Egret, Cormorant, 23 Tufted Duck, Redpoll, Siskin and Grey Wagtail. @ecorecord.bsky.social

Did not expect to see a Pied Flycatcher today. Latest Gwent record. Might go back tomorrow to get it on the ‘birds I have seen in the UK in December’ list. Currently attempting to piece together the ring details. Ta to Chris for finding and Matt for passing on the news. #gwentbirding #birdingWales