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 <a href="https://poll.blue/p/02zSPt/1" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">Woodchat Shrike, Stafford
2️⃣ <a href="https://poll.blue/p/02zSPt/2" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">White-rumped Sandpiper, Blithfield
3️⃣ <a href="https://poll.blue/p/02zSPt/3" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">Night Heron, Grimley
4️⃣ <a href="https://poll.blue/p/02zSPt/4" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">8 White-rumped Sandpiper, Belvide

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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 <a href="https://poll.blue/p/02zSPt/1" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">Woodchat Shrike, Stafford
2️⃣ <a href="https://poll.blue/p/02zSPt/2" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">White-rumped Sandpiper, Blithfield
3️⃣ <a href="https://poll.blue/p/02zSPt/3" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">Night Heron, Grimley
4️⃣ <a href="https://poll.blue/p/02zSPt/4" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">8 White-rumped Sandpiper, Belvide

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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 <a href="https://poll.blue/p/rHQ6iF/1" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">8 White-rumped Sand, Belvide
2️⃣ <a href="https://poll.blue/p/rHQ6iF/2" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">Red-necked Phal, Upton Warren
3️⃣ <a href="https://poll.blue/p/rHQ6iF/3" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">Woodchat, Stafford
4️⃣ <a href="https://poll.blue/p/rHQ6iF/4" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">Great Grey Shrike, Cannock Chs

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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 <a href="https://poll.blue/p/rHQ6iF/1" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">8 White-rumped Sand, Belvide
2️⃣ <a href="https://poll.blue/p/rHQ6iF/2" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">Red-necked Phal, Upton Warren
3️⃣ <a href="https://poll.blue/p/rHQ6iF/3" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">Woodchat, Stafford
4️⃣ <a href="https://poll.blue/p/rHQ6iF/4" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">Great Grey Shrike, Cannock Chs

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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 <a href="https://poll.blue/p/tTCxaK/1" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">Golden Oriole, Ladywalk
2️⃣ <a href="https://poll.blue/p/tTCxaK/2" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">White-rumped Sand, Blithfield
3️⃣ <a href="https://poll.blue/p/tTCxaK/3" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">Grey Phalarope, Belvide
4️⃣ <a href="https://poll.blue/p/tTCxaK/4" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">Night Heron, Grimley

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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 <a href="https://poll.blue/p/tTCxaK/1" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">Golden Oriole, Ladywalk
2️⃣ <a href="https://poll.blue/p/tTCxaK/2" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">White-rumped Sand, Blithfield
3️⃣ <a href="https://poll.blue/p/tTCxaK/3" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">Grey Phalarope, Belvide
4️⃣ <a href="https://poll.blue/p/tTCxaK/4" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">Night Heron, Grimley

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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 <a href="https://poll.blue/p/nSfvkA/1" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">Blithfield wader passage
2️⃣ <a href="https://poll.blue/p/nSfvkA/2" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">Marbled Duck, Longdon
3️⃣ <a href="https://poll.blue/p/nSfvkA/3" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">8 WR Sands, Belvide
4️⃣ <a href="https://poll.blue/p/nSfvkA/4" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">Golden Oriole, Ladywalk

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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 <a href="https://poll.blue/p/nSfvkA/1" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">Blithfield wader passage
2️⃣ <a href="https://poll.blue/p/nSfvkA/2" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">Marbled Duck, Longdon
3️⃣ <a href="https://poll.blue/p/nSfvkA/3" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">8 WR Sands, Belvide
4️⃣ <a href="https://poll.blue/p/nSfvkA/4" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">Golden Oriole, Ladywalk

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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 <a href="https://poll.blue/p/xE8j5n/1" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">Hoopoe, Lapal
2️⃣ <a href="https://poll.blue/p/xE8j5n/2" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">Grey Phalarope, Draycote
3️⃣ <a href="https://poll.blue/p/xE8j5n/3" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">White-rumped Sand, B'field
4️⃣ <a href="https://poll.blue/p/xE8j5n/4" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">Red-necked Phal, Upton W

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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 <a href="https://poll.blue/p/xE8j5n/1" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">Hoopoe, Lapal
2️⃣ <a href="https://poll.blue/p/xE8j5n/2" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">Grey Phalarope, Draycote
3️⃣ <a href="https://poll.blue/p/xE8j5n/3" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">White-rumped Sand, B'field
4️⃣ <a href="https://poll.blue/p/xE8j5n/4" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">Red-necked Phal, Upton W

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