First Swifts of the year, also 3 Whimbrel in Blithe Bay.

Some distant shots of a short staying Whimbrel in Blithe Bay, first of the "proper" waders. Not many years I see Whimbrel before Redshank but I have this year.

Only birds of note today were three Arctic terns, first winter Kittiwake and a couple of Redstarts.

First Wheatear of the year also plenty of White Wagails about.

Wasn't expecting much passage this morning as the conditions didn't feel "classic " but a drop of early rain produced a Sandwich, 9 Arctic and two Common terns plus the usual first winter Kittiwake and second year Caspian gull made it a decent morning with MPR.

Today's Ring-necked ducks were the 3rd recorded at Blithfield, the first was found by the late John Fortey which was a Staffordshire and regional first on 20-22/11/1977, the second 30/05-23/09/2007.

We've just found a pair of Ring-necked ducks at Yeatsall Bank.

The first-winter Kittiwake showed well this morning.

Cracking morning with MDJ, started with an adult Kittiwake thru Blithe then 4 sum plum Black-necked grebes (unfortunately moved across the bay by the time i`d got the camera) when we got back to the car park 22 Kittiwakes flew over going south east. Also new for the year 4 Swallows at Admaston reach

Best I could do with this morning`s distant Scoters at Blithfield.

5 Common scoter at the Deep End.

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.