Woolston Eyes has had a ‘duck’ purple patch in the 1st quarter of 2024 with Lesser Scaup, Ruddy Duck, a pair of Ferruginous Ducks and a pair of Garganey. All photos David Spencer Great reserve attracting rare birds. Why not become a permit holder. woolstoneyes.com

After many years I finally put my Ruddy Duck conflict to rest. Gave me the run around but got there in the end. Will likely be a while till I see another one of these.

An annual census of wintering birds in Spain's beleaguered Doñana National Park has returned the lowest numbers in 40 years: bit.ly/3UyXVxV

Been a tense few days waiting for an opportunity to see the Northern Waterthrush, but managed to get the chance this morning and it was every bit as good as you’d think it would be! Unbelievable views in the bitterly cold weather. Looks content…

Some decent birding around the NW yesterday with Dan Owen GW Teal, Water Pipit, 3 Bewick's, 21 Twite, 2 Hen Harrier, 4 Cattle Egret and huge numbers of wildfowl the highlights

Review of the Week: 18-24 September 2023

One of the all-time great weeks in British birding history came to pass as an unprecedented arrival of American landbirds took place. Josh Jones reports: bit.ly/3ERiQ6l

Pretty incredible afternoon at Cromer yesterday with Dan Owen. No fewer than 9 juvenile Caspian Gulls of all shapes and sizes (plus a 1st-summer). Some really smart individuals too. 3 different birds pictured below.

3cy+ male White-spotted Bluethroat trapped and ringed at Woolston Eyes this morning. The second Cheshire record of cyanecula (first also from Woolston).

Can't be many sites that casually offer 14+ Garganey and 12+ Black-necked Grebe as back-up cast...

ebird.org/checklist/S144…

Review of the Week: 24 April-1 May 2023:

The run of major rarities continued with Britain's first Grey-headed Lapwing located on the Northumberland coast, as well as a host of other mega finds: bit.ly/3LhL7pi

Review of the Week: 27 March-2 April 2023

Alpine Swifts, White-spotted Bluethroats and an extraordinary inland passage of Kittiwakes were among this week's talking points, as Dan Owen reports: bit.ly/430tliw

A couple more digital drawings from recent months, 1st-winter Caspian Gull and Taiga Bean Goose, the former being particularly frustrating to get right. Both of these can now be seen in the BirdGuides app too.

Recently back from a trip to Finnmark. Watching this Hawk Owl catch a Tundra Vole (?) just metres in front of me & Dan Owen definitely stole the show imo

Heroic efforts from Dan Owen today, who momentarily took over my BirdGuides news shift so I could intercept a Notts record breaking flock of c.170 (!!!) Kittiwakes as they passed over the Trent by my house. Nice to have 6 vocal adults at Netherfield later on too. Patch tick!

Review of the Week: 20-26 March 2023

The Alpine Swift influx continued unabated while overshooting rarities comprised a Scillonian Lesser Kestrel and a Great Spotted Cuckoo in Suffolk. Dan Owen reports. bit.ly/42GZZ8L

Pine Grosbeak city in Pasvik

It was changeable morning at Woolston Eyes, with scudding clouds and a mix of sunshine and showers. 3 Marsh Harriers, 23 Pintail, 20 Shelduck and 2,000 Teal were the pick of a brilliant day. With Dan Owen

Review of the Week: 19 December 2022-2 January 2023

It was a fantastic fortnight for rarities – Ireland was treated to two national firsts, while British highlights included a showy Isabelline Wheatear and a brief Little Swift: bit.ly/3VDKLwt

At Woolston Eyes 5,300 Woodpigeons moved north at dawn, while our ringing team has made a good start to our involvement in a national Moorhen colour-ringing scheme. Nine have now fitted with orange colour-rings in just two mornings - let us know if you see any! Dan Owen

Didn’t expect to bump into this again today! Back in the area two weeks after initially finding it and the Eastern Yellow Wagtail was still present by Loch of Wester. I believe this will be the first for the Scottish mainland if accepted. Glad people connected today!

Penduline Tit. The pinnacle of a decent morning’s birding at Woolston, first for the reserve and second for Cheshire. Full credit to the ringing team.

Otherwise 3 Brambling, 8000 Pink-footed Geese and 5000 Woodpigeon over best of the rest. #LocalBigYear BirdGuides