Did the gull roost tonight with MPR and was surprised to see the Red-throated diver was still present, the only bird in the roost of any note was an adult Caspian gull.
04.03.2026 18:38
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Did the gull roost tonight with MPR and was surprised to see the Red-throated diver was still present, the only bird in the roost of any note was an adult Caspian gull.
The pair of Scaup showed well this morning but very little else did.
Blith still quiet but nice to see rather than just hear 17 Crossbill over Tad Bay. Then on to Fauld to see geese flock. MPR counted 320 pinkfeet, the most I'd seen on the deck in Staffs. The other side of the river Dove we could see 20+ White-fronts but most of the flock was hidden by the willows.
A pair of Scaup were the only birds of note this morning.
Only birds of note this morning was a flock of ca 180 Pinkfeet south east over Blithe Bay at 10.20 hrs.
Nipped over to Stafford to try and catch up with the White-fronted goose flock at Radford Meadows SWT reserve, my third attempt but well worth the effort. About ca 150 birds I think but very difficult to count in the sedges by far the most I`ve seen in the region.
The first winter male Scaup which arrived on the 18th November last year is now a smart adult.
Did the gull roost tonight with MPR our first of the year, only birds of note were an adult Caspian gull and three Yellow- legged gulls (2 adults 1 2nd Cal.yr).
Nipped over to Amerton flood meadow to have a look at the White-fronted geese, very impressed with the place. Scaup still present at blithers but couldn't see the diver but often can't find it.
Female Scaup was the only bird of note today.
This morning's White-fronted geese was the largest flock I'd seen at Blithfield since 26 on 28th December 1976.
The Goose fest continues with 18 White fronts dropping into Blithe Bay this morning. Still 183 Pochard.
Since the 1990's Pochard numbers have been low, 30+ was a good count, this morning I counted a staggering 184 !
Previous message should have read ten not twelve, silly me !
The Goose fest continues this morning with twelve adult Russian white-fronts in Blithe Bay. With MPR.
A very distant shot of this morning`s White-fronts. With MPR.
Today was a bit of a wild goose chase, started of at Blithers where after a 5 day hiatus the RTD put in an appearance the Scaup fest continues with the f/w male being joined by 2 imms 17 pinkfeet still. Then off to Whitemoor Haye for WFG's then Willington for the 8 Tundra beans. With MPR. Blith leg.
Year over, 161 species recorded, star birds Red-throated diver (2), Tundra bean goose (Blith tick), Leach's petrel, Temmincks stint, White-rumped sandpiper. Notable absentees Woodcock and Cattle egret. Here we go again !!!
8 Whoopers south east over the Deep End this morning also Brambling, a Blith year tick and the first I've seen there for over three years.
A couple of distant shots of Blithfield`s 26th Red-throated diver, also seen today a juvenile Little gull, first winter Scaup, 18+ Pink feet and 10 fly over Crossbills. With MPR.
Four Whooper swans were new for the day, the f/w drake Scaup was still present. Good numbers of dabbling ducks were noted in Tad Bay with 800+ Teal and ca 340 Wigion present. 10 Crossbill were seen over Duckley Plantation. With MDJ.
Some very distant record shots of this morning`s Scaup.
Only that it was reported on Birdguides.
Don't really know anything about it apart from no one I know seeing it . Just reported on Birdguides.
Yet another Scaup this morning this time a first winter drake my sixth of the Autumn and the most since the 16 in 2012. Only other birds of note were 6+ Pintail.
Only birds of note this morning were two female Scaup, presumably new birds as it's nearly a month since the last ones. Duck numbers have risen with the water level, 5-600 Teal and over 300 Wigeon were noted plus 1 Pintail, 11 Goldeneye, 4 Pochard, 25 Mute Swan and 9 Shelduck. No waders.
Main highlight of this morning were seven Whooper swans (six adults and one juvenile) which dropped in the Deep End. Only other birds of note were 2 Ruff and 2 Great-white egrets. With M.P.R.
Sorry folks just found an old Devon record for 11/11/1984 but still is my latest regional date.
The only highlight this morning was my latest ever Swallow in Britain beating my previous latest record ( Blithfield 28/10/1989 ) by eleven days.
A new immature Scaup was the main highlight today with three adult Whooper swans, 4 Pintail, White-rumped sandpiper and Wheatear also present. Also good movement of Redwings and Fieldfare.