Despite 20k running & walking yday I failed to add Lesser Whitethroat to my 10k year list, so ended May on 112, 4 up on my pb in 2023 when I didn’t hit that total until 15th Aug! May half-term working from home while my son spotted stuff for me, inc this Broad-bodied Chaser #ukbirding #ukdragonflies

Couldn’t resist a trip outside the 10k to Belvide on 23/5 for the male Black-winged Stilt. My first at the reserve since 2 juvs in Sept 1987 when I was just 12! They’d been raised at Holme, Norfolk & I watched them depart on the last day of their 7 day stay, as I’d been away on holiday #ukbirding

A tip off that a Woodlark had been reported inside my 10k on 23/5 had me out yday before work in hope more than expectation but as I arrived at 06:45 it was singing away! It promptly disappeared but returned to the same spot an hour later & showed well. A full fat 10k ✅ and 112 for year #ukbirding

May has been v busy with work & needs of parents since the 3 x 10k circle year ticks on 2/5 but Common Sand on 3/5 (110) was a bonus as a tricky bird locally & my first in 10k since 12/4/23! A singing Tree Pipit on 24/5 (111) was unexpected as no sign at the site twice earlier in spring #ukbirding

My back survived the #westmidsalldayer on 2/5/26 & I recorded 64sp of team Smestow Valley’s record 80sp while also adding 3 to my 10k year list; this singing Yellow Wag, Little Owl & Hobby to take me to 109. A fem Wheatear & 4 singing Corn Bunting the best of rest over the 12km walked #ukbirding

April ended with me putting my back out on Monday but all was not lost with 2 Swift from home flying NE on 28/4 the final addition to the 10k year for the month. 106 is 5 up on my PB by end Apr! Trying to get back to ‘walking fit’ by Sat for the #westmidsalldayer for team Smestow Valley #ukbirding

For the 10k yday was ‘epic’! A stop at a flood pool on Pendeford Hall Lane after work revealed a pair of Shelduck - a full fat 10k ✅! Inspired by this a walk later to Pool Hall after was fruitless but a stop at Bhylls Floods near home revealed 3 Gadwall (2m,1f) a site ✅ 105 for 10k year #ukbirding

Having added Reed & Willow Warbler, Whitethroat & House Martin to the 10k over the last week I’d hit the 100 mark for the year. A trip to Highgate Common this am added 3 more; 2 duelling male Cuckoo, Garden Warbler & Bullfinch at last! 103 for the 10k year is already a record for April #ukbirding

Took a trip out of the 10k yday evening for the fem Hooded Merganser at Alvecote Pools NR found by @archieraven.bsky.social on Sunday. Having not been for any other potentially acceptable birds, I’m hoping this one makes the cut. A drake Garganey on the same pool was an added bonus #ukbirding

Early am trip out to the SW edge of the 10k to Highgate Common & nearby area produced 3 additions (96sp now): 4+ Brambling (2+m), Oystercatcher & 2 Curlew thankfully back in situ at their last remaining local haunt. Also fem Wheatear, male Stonechat, 3+ Redpoll, 5 Lapwing, ad Peregrine #ukbirding

First quarter of 2026 done & 93sp in the 10k circle, 7 ahead of my previous best at this date. Some real bonuses inc the goose-fest of White-fronts, Barnacles & Pink-footed but some worrying omissions not at their usual haunts inc Curlew, Little Owl & Marsh Tit. 90 of the 93 self-found #ukbirding

Failed with the now near mythical Lesser Spott Wood in the 10k early am (1 seen on 22/3) but 2 drake Mandarin & 3 drumming Gt Spott Wood kept me entertained while I waited in vain to hear their smaller cousin. A singing Cetti’s Warbler on my run yday evening did take the 10k year to 93sp #ukbirding

Caught up with my first hirundines of the year this afternoon at Pool Hall Fishery in the light rain, surprisingly for March here the balance was in favour of Swallow with 4 v a single Sand Martin. Always a pleasure to see the first of the Spring skimming the water. 92sp for 10k year #ukbirding

A morning walk on Highgate Common yday produced little bird wise except a Red Kite but 2 Slow Worm & 3 Common Lizard impressed the family. Nearby no sign of any Curlew at the only previously reliable local spot. So sad for a species I took for granted on the local farmland as a youngster #ukbirding

The 10k year hit the 90 mark this evening with my first Wheatear, a cracking male, on the north side of Wombourne, found earlier by @jamesthorpe1.bsky.social . The 21/3 produced two additions; a chance fem Merlin by road between Orton & Lower Penn and finally a Reed Bunting at Pool Hall #ukbirding

Slow start to March in 10k but still 2 additions (87 now). Woodcock flying in front of car at Wergs Hall Road in daylight on 4/3, over main A41 and off over houses! Tried to get in on the Scoter action yday at Himley Pool but no joy just Goosander, 4 Gt C Grebe & 1st Chiffchaff of year #ukbirding

A productive weekend for the 10k year reaching 85 with 4 additions. A Water Rail at Compton Wetlands on 21/2 plus 2 Green Wood yaffling. A walk around the Trescott area farmland yday am produced a pair of Grey Partridge & 3+ Corn Bunting. 3 Yellowhammer, 13+ Skylark & 1 RL Partridge too #ukbirding

Another venture to the 10k border at Mere Farm near Highgate today, this time for a flock of 12 Barnacle Geese inc two yellow (R) & red (L) colour-ringed birds that joined the 3 Russian Whitefronts & c200 Greylags yday. 81 now for 10k year, as they did a fly around into circle airspace #ukbirding

A walk along the canal yday morning from Dimmingsdale to Bratch Locks revealed the drake Mandarin from Dec’25 was still present & became no.79 for the 10k year. Quiet otherwise but a good total of 9 singing Song Thrush added their uplifting vocals along the way #ukbirding

Ended Jan on 75 for the 10k, my best start since started keeping a total in 2022. 1st Feb added another 3 to the total inc 5 Pochard (2m,3f) on Himley Great Pool, a scarce bird in my 10k now (didn’t see any in 2025!). 3 Gt C Grebe & c60 Siskin other 2 additions, roosting Tawny Owl too #ukbirding

A venture to the very edge of my 10k this anoon for the 3 Russian White-fronted Geese (2ad+1w) at Mere Farm, near Highgate was successful plus picked out an ad Pink-footed & 1 Egyptian amongst 300+ Greylags. 3 Stonechat (2m,1f) around too. 75 for the 10k year @staffsbirdnews.bsky.social #ukbirding

Last few photos processed for end of Dec’25. Although much more regular in Staffs now, any encounter with a Goshawk (the avian terminator) is still a pleasure…although I’m not sure the Sparrowhawk keeping a watchful eye would agree! Male Stonechat & drake Mandarin the supporting cast #ukbirding

2w Caspian Gull in West Park, Wolverhampton on 27/12/25 (also present 1/1/26). A fairly small bird & likely the same bird that has been regularly seen at Belvide this winter & was also present at both sites last winter, compare 1w photos from 4/1/25 #caspiangull #gulls #ukbirding

4/1/26 a quiet last day off b4 work until last hr walk to Pool Hall fishery: Jack & 2 Common Snipe in tiny patch of unfrozen ditch, Great Egret, 3 Teal, Shoveler & 7 Goosander on ice / small area of unfrozen pool. 2 Tawny Owl dueting at dusk & in flight. 68 for 10k in 2026 in 4 days #ukbirding

A quiet day yday but still added Red Kite to the 10k year with one SW over Finchfield. Back out walking today and added a lovely ad male Goshawk cruising above a woodland in the cold winter sun. Fem Stonechat, male Kestrel, Treecreeper & a few other common bits took the 2026 10k up to 61 #ukbirding

A respectable 50 species in & around Wolverhampton for day 1 of 2026: 2w Caspian Gull again in West Park at 14:15 @rarebirder.bsky.social also 7 Shoveler & 2 RN Parakeet plus male Peregrine nearby. Pool Hall fishery in am held: Great & 6 L Egret, 26+ Goosander, Lapwing & male Kingfisher #ukbirding

Ended 2025 with 118 for the 10k circle, down on 122 (2024) & record 126 (2023) but plenty of quality: Marsh Warbler & Whimbrel were 10k ✅’s. Firecrest, Dipper, Caspian Gull, Black Redstart, Hawfinch, Goshawk, Grey Partridge & Corn Bunting all noteworthy for in & around Wolverhampton #ukbirding

Last attempt of 2025 this am to add to the 10k year list failed but did find two 2nd records - 2 adult Goshawk inc this perched bird with was joined by a brave Sprawk! A distant Great Egret was the other. Peregrine, Kestrel, male Stonechat & remains of an unfortunate Barn Owl also found #ukbirding

2nd winter Caspian Gull showing very well in West Park, Wolverhampton this afternoon coming to bread. With the recent regular 2w bird at Belvide, I had an inclining that bird might be the returning 1w bird I found in West Park in late Dec24, so I dropped in today & there it was 😊 #ukbirding #gulls

A full day of 10k birding failed to produce an addition for the year but was just great to be out of the office! A drake Mandarin on the canal at Awbridge brightened up a dull grey day. 4 Golden Plover NE over Trescott mid anoon (only my 2nd 10k record of 2025) were the other highlight #ukbirding

Another addition to the 10k year today with the Firecrest in Whites Wood, Baggeridge CP showing well, although mobile, early pm (118). There aren’t many better birds in Britain in my opinion. Finish work on Thurs for this year, so might just push the 10k year up to 120 or above again #ukbirding

The last day of Nov produced an addition to the 10k with an imm male Goshawk causing chaos as it raided a local wood at 15:30 (117). 3 Corn Bunting, 8 Goosander over & 11 Red-legged Partridge the best of the rest #ukbirding

A very pleasant morn in the Trescott area produced my first Golden Plover of the year in 10k (116 now) but a covey of 12 Grey Partridge stole the show. Single Snipe & Lapwing were my first in area of ‘winter’ also 2 Stonechat, 2 fem Goosander, 2 L Egret, 3 L Grebe, Reed Bunt, Kestrel #ukbirding

With Sept+Oct unfortunately dominated by work, I only added two species to my 10k year - Jack Snipe & Red-legged Partridge to put me on 115, 2 short of this time last year & 5 short of my best in 2023. Hopefully Nov+Dec will be more productive…although work isn’t going to be any quieter! 😣

A walk around theTrescott area finally produced an additional in October to my 10k year with a single Jack Snipe (115 for year now). Without a thermal ydays bird flew out before I could see it, unlike this one at the same spot in 2022, found the old fashioned way with my eyes! #ukbirding

After the thrill of the Belvide White-rumped Sand flock on Sat it was a rather more routine (previous stomping ground) ✅ Whooper Swan at Gailey Reservoirs. Found by @thesnapper1978.bsky.social late on Sat it was still present in the fog with 11 Mutes on the sailing reservoir yday

Sept+Oct so far had been poor for me locally & not being able to get up to the Needletail due to work I was quite demotivated yday…then @belvidebirding.bsky.social pulls out an unbelievable flock of 8 White-rumped Sandpiper at Belvide. A jog to the west end for my 233rd sp for the reserve #ukbirding

A family holiday in Cala d’Or, Majorca in mid-Aug was ‘non-birding’ but a short walk down to the sea & I could enjoy one of my favourite birds of the Med with sev Audouin’s Gull present most days. Much more relaxing than my first in Britain after a mad dash to Dunge on a bank holiday Monday! #gulls

After a good start to Aug with 3 x 10k additions in the first week, a family holiday in Majorca ended that run & I missed a few but a session watching @birdergaz.bsky.social ringing on 25/8 added 2 more: Grasshopper Warbler & Spotted Fly to hit 113 by the end of the month #ukbirding

The good start to Aug in the 10k was followed by two ‘dips’ (after work walks for birds seen earlier) in two days, so was pleased not to make it a hatrick early am with another attempt at Dipper proving successful with this 1cy bird showing well before work. 111 now for the 10k year #ukbirding

August has started well in the 10k with overdue addition of Green Sand (2/8) & first Tree Pipit (3/8) taking total to 110. First garden Hobby of year over yday too. Love or loath them Wolverhampton’s Parakeets have had a good season with flocks of up to 11 noted at sev sites in late July #ukbirding

My first gulling session of summer in West Park, Wolverhampton yday anoon produced a single (smallish fem?) Juv Yellow-legged Gull amongst 100+ LBBG. Bright sunlight & fact they’d been well fed already hampered decent photos. An imm male Redstart locally on 25/7 was a 10k year ✅ (108) #ukbirding

Finally put a ✅ against a butterfly bogey species today with 2 White-letter Hairstreak at Baggeridge Country Park this afternoon. Also 1+ Silver-washed Fritillary bombing around the meadow amongst a host of the commoner species

Unfortunately the westerly winds at Flamborough at end May weren’t productive for migrants but, as way evidenced 9 days later when a singing Song Sparrow turned up in the same small cove I’d checked every morning, all I really needed was the right container ship to be passing 🫣 #ukbirding

Finally got round to checking my photos from our trip to Flamborough 26th-30th May. Seabirds were the obvious highlight for any landlocked birder with the auks, as always, particularly oblidging and entertaining #ukbirding

June has been relatively quiet but 3 x local additions, included a welcome first singing Cuckoo for many years, took the 10k circle year up to 107 (cf 108 in 2024 & 110 in 2023). Still plenty of gaps in the list inc some that should hopefully start moving through soon on their return migration 🙏

Spent 26-30/5 at Thornwick Bay, Flamborough as a post-birthday break but the constant west winds led to none existent migrants. Still so much to enjoy inc all the seabirds (photos still to be sorted!) & quality farmland birds inc Barn Owls, Tree Sparrows with young & singing Corn Buntings #ukbirding

A busy last couple of weeks included a quick dash to Doxey on 17/5 to add the Woodchat Shrike to my Staffs List (288) plus a couple of 10k year list additions, this fem Mandarin on the canal at Bentley Bridge on 19/5 & an Oystercatcher over Pool Hall Fishery on 22/5 : 104 for 10k year #ukbirding

Walks in the Pool Hall / Trescott area over wkend produced two 10k year ✅’s: 2 Hobby & a singing Sedge Warbler taking the total up to 102 for the year. Also noted was this smart Yellow Wag plus Corn Bunting, Red Kite, Lesser Whitethroat & Little Egret @birdergaz.bsky.social #ukbirding

This singing Corn Bunting on west edge of Smestow Valley was the only #westmidsalldayer sighting. Doing ok west of Wolves due to friendly farming this one field left free of crops also held 3 Yellow Wag, numerous Skylark, Whitethroats etc. How it should be done. #ukbirding @andles4forks.bsky.social