I started the day on my old patch at Marbury Country Park, where a Cetti's Warbler had been found by Vernon, one of the patch regulars, on New Year's Eve. This was a first for the patch and was well overdue. After a good two-hour wait, the Cetti's started to call, and eventually I got two good views of the bird. Hopefully, the bird will stick around, and when the weather improves, I'll go back and hopefully get a few pictures.
Next, I headed towards Chelford sand quarries, where a Black-necked Grebe had been found on Lapwing Hall pool.
Lapwing Hall Pool
On arrival, I soon picked up the Black-necked Grebe. Other birds of note were Wigeon, Shoveler, Goldeneye and Goosander
Black-necked Grebe
Spent the next couple of hours walking around the area and added some good birds to the year list.
Goldcrest
Fieldfares and Redwings
Next stop on the way home was Newchurch Common, where I soon connected with the resident Smew.
Smew
A good day's birding, which got even better when I arrived home: a phone call from Allan Conlin to say a Pallas's warbler had been found at Heswall sewage works. Happy days, I'll be there in the morning!