Steve Richards
@thesnapper1978.bsky.social
Avid Staffs & British Birder. Natural history & foreign travel. Heavy Music. Dad to Big Dave.
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
January 25, 2026 at 2:18 PM
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
January 24, 2026 at 7:08 PM
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
January 18, 2026 at 1:39 PM
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!
January 11, 2026 at 2:41 PM
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
January 10, 2026 at 12:37 PM
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
January 4, 2026 at 11:42 AM
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
January 3, 2026 at 6:20 PM
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
January 2, 2026 at 5:00 PM
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.
January 2, 2026 at 4:53 PM
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
January 1, 2026 at 6:30 PM
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
January 1, 2026 at 5:20 PM
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
January 1, 2026 at 8:03 AM
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
December 29, 2025 at 12:04 PM
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
Gailey Res this morning produced 2 Wigeon, 10 Pochard, Water Rail, Common Sand, 6 Redpoll, 8 Siskin. At the nearby WMI drk Shoveler, 1st w GBBG with 80 LBBG, 123 Herring, 145 BHG, 400+Lapwing #staffsbirds
December 28, 2025 at 11:11 AM
Gailey Res this morning produced 2 Wigeon, 10 Pochard, Water Rail, Common Sand, 6 Redpoll, 8 Siskin. At the nearby WMI drk Shoveler, 1st w GBBG with 80 LBBG, 123 Herring, 145 BHG, 400+Lapwing #staffsbirds
A few hours at Gailey Res this morning produced 2 Egyptian Geese, 4 Pochard, 2 fem Goldeneye, Water Rail, Common Sand, a decent count of 25 Snipe, Cetti’s Wblr #staffsbirds
December 20, 2025 at 12:37 PM
A few hours at Gailey Res this morning produced 2 Egyptian Geese, 4 Pochard, 2 fem Goldeneye, Water Rail, Common Sand, a decent count of 25 Snipe, Cetti’s Wblr #staffsbirds
After early morning birding, this afternoon was all about a Santa train ride. Such a magical time of the year ❤️
December 13, 2025 at 7:01 PM
After early morning birding, this afternoon was all about a Santa train ride. Such a magical time of the year ❤️
Couple of hours at Gailey Res this morning produced Great Egret which flew to grounds of Hatherton Hall, drk Goldeneye, 2 Water Rail, Common Sand, 6 Snipe, Cetti’s Wblr #staffsbirds
December 13, 2025 at 10:37 AM
Couple of hours at Gailey Res this morning produced Great Egret which flew to grounds of Hatherton Hall, drk Goldeneye, 2 Water Rail, Common Sand, 6 Snipe, Cetti’s Wblr #staffsbirds
Late afternoon visit to Gailey Res was predictably quiet in the mild weather. 2 Egyptian Geese, 8 Pochard, 2 Goldeneye, & Common Sand only birds of note #staffsbirds
December 7, 2025 at 4:50 PM
Late afternoon visit to Gailey Res was predictably quiet in the mild weather. 2 Egyptian Geese, 8 Pochard, 2 Goldeneye, & Common Sand only birds of note #staffsbirds
A couple of hours spent at Birches Valley on The Chase with the family was festive and very pleasant in the afternoon sun. Made even better by several Crossbills constantly knocking round and regularly perching above us.
November 30, 2025 at 5:48 PM
A couple of hours spent at Birches Valley on The Chase with the family was festive and very pleasant in the afternoon sun. Made even better by several Crossbills constantly knocking round and regularly perching above us.
Quick visit to Gailey Res this morning in the drizzle produced Little Egret, 40+Pochard, 4 Goldeneye, Common Sand, c200 Fieldfare #staffsbirds
November 29, 2025 at 2:30 PM
Quick visit to Gailey Res this morning in the drizzle produced Little Egret, 40+Pochard, 4 Goldeneye, Common Sand, c200 Fieldfare #staffsbirds
Quick hour at Gailey Res with Dave before doing the shopping produced 1 Great Egret, 1 Little Egret, drk Wigeon, 4 Goldeneye, a decent count of 97 Pochard, & Cetti’s Wblr #staffsbirds
November 23, 2025 at 1:20 PM
Quick hour at Gailey Res with Dave before doing the shopping produced 1 Great Egret, 1 Little Egret, drk Wigeon, 4 Goldeneye, a decent count of 97 Pochard, & Cetti’s Wblr #staffsbirds
Blithfield 08:20-14:20 walk to top of Blithe and deep end produced 9 Little Egret, 12 Pinkfeet, 47 Egyptian Geese, 300+Wigeon, drk Pintail, 2 Scaup(imm drk+imm fem) with 9 Pochard & 273+Tufteds, 4 Goldeneye, 2 YL Gull(ad & 2nd w), 2 Snipe, 3 Stonechat #staffsbirds
November 22, 2025 at 2:22 PM
Blithfield 08:20-14:20 walk to top of Blithe and deep end produced 9 Little Egret, 12 Pinkfeet, 47 Egyptian Geese, 300+Wigeon, drk Pintail, 2 Scaup(imm drk+imm fem) with 9 Pochard & 273+Tufteds, 4 Goldeneye, 2 YL Gull(ad & 2nd w), 2 Snipe, 3 Stonechat #staffsbirds
At Blithfield Res 2 Scaup(imm drk + imm fem) + 10 Pinkfeet in Blithe Bay 09:50 #staffsbirds
November 22, 2025 at 9:51 AM
At Blithfield Res 2 Scaup(imm drk + imm fem) + 10 Pinkfeet in Blithe Bay 09:50 #staffsbirds
Late morning family walk around Gailey Res was disappointingly quiet. 1 Little Egret, 4 Wigeon & c40 Pochard only birds of note #staffsbirds
November 15, 2025 at 3:59 PM
Late morning family walk around Gailey Res was disappointingly quiet. 1 Little Egret, 4 Wigeon & c40 Pochard only birds of note #staffsbirds
Family walk home over Littleton Pit/Shoal hill was quite productive. Little Egret over, female Gos, Green Wood, small no’s Redwing, sev Siskin, 50+Redpoll, 3 Raven #staffsbirds
November 9, 2025 at 1:53 PM
Family walk home over Littleton Pit/Shoal hill was quite productive. Little Egret over, female Gos, Green Wood, small no’s Redwing, sev Siskin, 50+Redpoll, 3 Raven #staffsbirds