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

Pink Footed Goose at Hill Hook LNR earlier today @ecorecord.bsky.social Found by @pmandrews1973.bsky.social

Pink-footed Goose this morning on the Mill Pool at Hill Hook NR was a probably a site first (certainly a first for me); also added to house list. Also 2 Cormorant, 2 Shoveler (m+f) & an impressive 115 BHG; 2 Little Egret + 3 Cormorant present yesterday @ecorecord.bsky.social @ruthnewby.bsky.social

Any thoughts on this very worn moth in the morning's trap? I was thinking initially Yellow-line Quaker but I have received some more interesting suggestions #TeamMoth @mothiduk.bsky.social

The finale of the great TV comedy show Blackadder goes Forth. Back then I didn't expect one of the funniest programmes ever to end with a scene that makes me cry every time I see it. Every single time.

31 species around Hill Hook NR this morning - in addition to the below WeBS count I also had Skylark, Nuthatch, Siskin, Grey Wagtail, Redpoll and Raven @ecorecord.bsky.social @ruthnewby.bsky.social

WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER, Blithfield, Staffs – From a couple of weeks back, stayed asleep for the first half hour in low sun and semi concealed which made picking out the ID features difficult but educational, showed well as morning progressed. @westmidbirdclub.bsky.social

Was bemoaning the lack of variety in this mornings trap (9 Ruddy Streak, 2 Red-green Carpet, 1 Juniper Carpet) when out popped this micro, Phyllonorycter messaniella, new for me + the VC38 portion of the SK10 square #TeamMoth @ruthnewby.bsky.social @bcwarwickshire.bsky.social @ecorecord.bsky.social

Recent nights have brought December Moth and Satellite as NFY, together with Feathered Thorn and Acleris notana/ferrugana. B74 SK10 VC38 @ruthnewby.bsky.social @bcwarwickshire.bsky.social @ecorecord.bsky.social

7 redhead Goosander yesterday in Sutton Park on Keeper's Pool. Today a drake Shoveler at Hill Hook NR on Mill Pool found earlier by @ruthnewby.bsky.social. My first ever in this location was also 2nd Nov (2023) - wonder if they are displaced off another body of water by fireworks? 🤔