Steve Richards

Family walk with friends close to home was very pleasant in the sunshine. Made even better by my first displaying Woodlark of the year.

With the mild weather, took the opportunity to venture into Warks to Lea Marston. The Hume’s Warbler was mobile and pretty elusive but I managed several decent views with persistence. Nice to hear it call on a few occasions too. Also 4 Goosander, Green Woodpecker, a few RN Parakeets and Chiffchaff.

Short video of the superb flock of Russian Whitefronts near Acton Trussell #staffsbirds

After Belvide where we had 13 Russian Whitefronts before heading NE, imm Gos, Peregrine,2nd w Caspian Gull,I spent a few hours searching for geese. After locating 38 Russian Whitefronts & a Whooper near Acton Trussell I tried to get a better view.Couldn’t believe it when I counted 170+ #staffsbirds

Just NW of Acton Trussell along Mill Lane 38+Russian Whitefronts with Mute Swans and 1 ad Whooper Swan early afternoon. Could be more as birds down a slope and viewing difficult #staffsbirds

With the beautiful sunshine and being mid February, no better way to spend an hour early afternoon at a site in the midlands with mates watching Goshawk. 4 birds seen including adult pair, imm fem and imm male. They really are special birds and a species I never tired of seeing

Early morning visit to Gailey Res in the glorious weather produced 2 Great & 7 Little Egrets, 2 Egyptian Geese, 32 Pochard, 5 Goldeneye, 4 Oyc, 13 Snipe, showy Cetti’s Wblr #staffsbirds

After visit work to Gailey Res produced 2 Great Egret, Egyptian Goose, 27 Pochard, 6 Goldeneye, 3 Oyc, Common Sand #staffsbirds

Quick after work visit to Gailey Res produced a surprise Barnacle Goose on the sailing lake. All by itself and calling as Greylags flew overhead. With the current goose influx, who knows where this came from. Also Great Egret, 2 Little Egrets, 4 Goldeneye, 3 Oyc #staffsbirds

Had Chasewater to myself for the roost this evening. Hard work but managed to pick up a 1st w Caspian Gull which was sat on a buoy and was bossing the other gulls around it. It then flew giving nice views of the pale underwing landing much closer. Also 13 Goosander noted #staffsbirds

A few hours at Gailey Res this morning produced Great Egret, 7 Little Egret, Egyptian Goose, 29 Pochard, 7 Goldeneye, 2 Oyc, 26 Snipe #staffsbirds

With the scarcity of Smew nowadays,I took a family day out to East Mids. Eyebrook Res held 6+Smew inc 4 drks. Undoubtedly my favourite duck sp.Also 11 Scaup, Pinkfoot and plenty of Red Kites. At nearby Rutland Water the RN Grebe gave decent views off the dam. Also 18 Russian Whitefronts & Green Wood

After work visit to Gailey Res produced 2 Great Egret, 26 Pochard, 7 Goldeneye, 2 Oyc #staffsbirds

With the slightly lighter evenings, took the chance on getting to Chasewater roost. Only had 15 minutes decent viewing but picked out a nice ad Med Gull at the front of the roost. @julianallen.bsky.social also had 1st Caspian Gull before I arrived #staffsbirds

A few hours at Blithfield today produced RT Diver, Great Egret, 2 Shelduck, 2 drk Goosander, Oyc, 12 Snipe, 2 ad YL Gull, 40 Common Gull, 3+singing Mistle Thrush, 4 Stonechat #staffsbirds

After work visit to Gailey Res produced my first Oyc of the year. Also Great Egret, 2 Egyptian Geese, 27 Pochard, 2 Goldeneye #staffsbirdd

19 years!?!? I can remember it like yesterday.

Morning visit to Gailey Res was much the same as recently. 2 Great & 6 Little Egrets, 2 Gadwall, 25 Pochard, & the overwintering Common Sand only birds of note #staffsbirds

Enjoyable family days in North Staffs and venturing just over the border. Nice views of Shorelark, a couple of increasingly rare Willow Tits, & the expected Red Grouse. Beautiful scenery too

Early morning visit to Gailey Res produced 1 Great Egret, 1 Little Egret, Egyptian Goose, 2 Teal, 17 Pochard, Common Sand, 22 Snipe. Followed by an hour at Whitemoor Haye for 5 Grey Partridge & Merlin #staffsbirds

Took Dave the short journey over the county border to Hurley late morning. The Yellow-Browed Wblr performed superbly(pic from phone). Undoubtedly the most confiding one I have seen. Also Little Egret, fem Stonechat, 3 nominate Chiffchaff & 10+Yellowhammers. Followed by lunch and a hot drink. Ideal!

Morning visit to Gailey Res was beautiful after the fog cleared. Pinkfoot amongst a few hundred Greylags, drk Wigeon, 11 Pochard, drk Goldeneye, 14 Snipe, Chiffchaff, Redpoll #staffsbirds

Quick visit to the deep end at Blithfield after visiting the tip this morning produced the mobile RT Diver close to the causeway and the 1st w drk Scaup with Tufteds off Watery Lane. Also noted Red Kite, Bullfinch and Nuthatch #staffsbirds

Annual family visit to @slimbridge-wild.bsky.social was quality with over 70 species. 1 Great & 8 Cattle Egrets, 2 Whooper and 55+Bewick’s, c110 Russian Whitefronts, 14 Tundra Beans, 2 Pinkfeet,2 Peregrine,3 unringed Cranes, Water Rail,41 Avocet, 2 Little Stint, Firecrest, Chiffchaff the highlights

A late afternoon visit to Gailey Res in the bitter cold until produced an unexpected Chiffchaff along the causeway in hawthorns and even bathing. Also noted 4 Little Egrets, 15 Pochard, drk Goldeneye, Common Sand along with a few new bits for the year like Grey Wag and Nuthatch #staffsbirds

Being fortunate enough to live close to The Chase, it was only a short journey in the icy conditions this morning. Not a great deal of wildlife but a few new bits for the year in beautiful conditions.

A decent first day of 2026 totaling 73 species. Started at Gailey Res at dawn ending at Whitemoor Haye at dusk with a couple of sites in between.Highlights 5 Great Egret, 3 Slav Grebe, 3 Whoopers, 2 Russian Whitefronts, 2 RC Pochard, Red Kite, Goshawk, Water Rail, 6 YL Gull, Common Sand #staffsbirds

Dawn visit to Gailey Res to early afternoon produced 2 Great Egret, 6 Little Egret, 3 Goldeneye, 10 Pochard, Water Rail, Common Sand, 5 Snipe, Cetti’s Wblr, good no’s regular Thrushes, 4 Redpoll, a few Raven #staffsbirds

Happy New Year to all! Dawn starts at Gailey Res with 2 Great Egret & 7 Little Egrets still at roost #staffsbirds

Another visit to Gailey Res was largely the same. 2 Little Egret, 12 Pochard, drk Goldeneye, ad GBBG, Common Sand, 13 Snipe, 5 Redpoll #staffsbirds