The year started off steadily with some local birding until 29/01, when a Dartford Warbler was photographed near the rifle range at Burton Marsh. People did go looking for the bird, but there was no further sign of it.
The first week in February, I spent time in Fuerteventura and saw some cracking birds during the week. The star bird of the week was the red-billed tropicbird at Atlantico Mall, Caleta, which showed so well, with absolutely amazing views.
Red-billed Tropicbird
Other birds of note were:
Cream Coloured Courser
Houbara Bustard
Egyptian Vulture
Black-bellied Sandgrouse
Trumpeter Finch
On 19/02, I visited Burton Marsh and got great views of a Lesser White-fronted Goose of unknown origin. It's always worth seeing these birds; you never know.
The following day I spent time in North Wales and had a great day out birding!
South-westerly winds extending across the Bay of Biscay from Iberia and North Africa at the start of the first week in March produced perfect 'funnel' conditions for a large-scale migrant arrival, although even more noticeable still was an extraordinary Alpine Swift influx across Britain and Ireland.
When glancing at the BirdGuides sighting page, it has been impossible to miss the scale of this record-shattering influx, with birds reported from more than 60 locations, including no fewer than 13 sites enjoying multiple birds. Ireland hosted the bulk of reports, with perhaps as many as 50 different birds, including an astonishing nine over Bray, Co Wicklow, on 19th—the biggest flock ever recorded in Ireland. Six at Stanpit Marsh, Dorset, the previous day, meanwhile, is the largest modern-day flock recorded in Britain
It was our turn then on the Wirral on 22/03 when two Alpine Swifts were seen over Hoylake, but they flew straight through. I visited Burton RSPB on 23/03 and got good views of a Long-billed Dowitcher. These are becoming annual at this site now, but it's always nice to see this American wader
Long-billed Dowitcher
Then, on 30/03, an Alpine Swift spent half an hour over Burton RSPB but flew west just as I arrived towards the River Dee. Will this bird ever get on my list? Missed so many by minutes.
On 10/4, I was back at Burton RSPB, getting brief views of a Savi's warbler; it was really elusive but very vocal, at least a Cheshire tick.
Another visit on the 19/04 to Burton RSPB to see a Gull-billed Tern, which showed really well.
On the 29/04, I visited Dorset again after a terrible day the week before with Malc Curtin and Mark Payne driving around looking for a Forster's tern and not seeing it. I returned and got the boat over to Brownsea Island and got great views of the bird. Lifer at last!
News broke on 01/05/05 that a Grey-headed Lapwing had been found at Low Newton-by-the-Sea in Northumberland. I arrived a few hours later and got great views of the bird.
I was lucky today, 17/05/, as I was doing a bird survey at Hale and jammed in on Pectoral Sandpiper and Temminck's Stint at Carr Lane Pools. Both birds showed really well.
Temminck's Stint
On the 30/05/news broke that a Night Heron had been found on Pumphouse Flash at Sandbach Flashes. The bird thankfully stayed and showed well, and it made up for the Leasowe bird I missed many moons ago.
What a beauty!
On 22/06, a White-tailed Eagle, a released 2nd-summer female 'G542' from the Isle of Wight reintroduction scheme, was found on the Frodsham Score. The bird showed well, but was distant. I managed better views over the next week as I was doing a bird survey on the Mersey
The first week in July, I spent time in Madeira and saw some great birds
Madeiran Firecrest
Trocaz Pigeon
Zino's PetrelThe 16/08 was costly when I missed two Citrine Wagtails at Hoylake due to work. I went the next morning, but they had gone.
Whilst working on the 28/08, an Osprey flew over whilst doing a bird survey at Hale
American warbler madness kicked off in Pembrokeshire on the 21/09 when I connected with a Magnolia Warbler at Govans Head, and then two days later on the 23/09 I saw a Bay-breasted Warbler on Ramsey Island and a Canada Warbler! An amazing few days!
Canada Warbler
Bay-breasted Warbler
A very showy juvenile Great Northern Diver was seen on 21/11 at West Kirby Marine Lake
Great Northern Diver
The year finished off with 30 Waxwings in rowans, Warrington, on the 18/12
A great year birding, and I did a lot of travelling. Roll on 2024!