As I was on my annual birding holiday in Shetland, patch regular Greg Baker found a mega bird for my local patch in Northwich, a Blue-winged Teal. I didn't think it would stick around, and after two frustrating attempts, I finally connected with this elusive bird today.
This was a first for the Marbury patch recording area and a fantastic find; it was also my 201st bird for the Marbury patch!
There have been 4 previous records in Cheshire and Wirral:
1860-a Female shot at Burton
1992-Drake at Inner Marsh Farm RSPB-26th-28th May
2010-A Female or Immature at Silver Lane Pools, Risley, 21st-23rd September
2013-Drake-Burton RSPB-19th-20th April