Steve Richards
@thesnapper1978.bsky.social
Avid Staffs & British Birder. Natural history & foreign travel. Heavy Music. Dad to Big Dave.
Short video of the superb flock of Russian Whitefronts near Acton Trussell #staffsbirds
February 15, 2026 at 3:24 PM
Short video of the superb flock of Russian Whitefronts near Acton Trussell #staffsbirds
After Belvide where we had 13 Russian Whitefronts before heading NE, imm Gos, Peregrine,2nd w Caspian Gull,I spent a few hours searching for geese. After locating 38 Russian Whitefronts & a Whooper near Acton Trussell I tried to get a better view.Couldn’t believe it when I counted 170+ #staffsbirds
February 15, 2026 at 3:17 PM
After Belvide where we had 13 Russian Whitefronts before heading NE, imm Gos, Peregrine,2nd w Caspian Gull,I spent a few hours searching for geese. After locating 38 Russian Whitefronts & a Whooper near Acton Trussell I tried to get a better view.Couldn’t believe it when I counted 170+ #staffsbirds
Just NW of Acton Trussell along Mill Lane 38+Russian Whitefronts with Mute Swans and 1 ad Whooper Swan early afternoon. Could be more as birds down a slope and viewing difficult #staffsbirds
February 15, 2026 at 12:57 PM
Just NW of Acton Trussell along Mill Lane 38+Russian Whitefronts with Mute Swans and 1 ad Whooper Swan early afternoon. Could be more as birds down a slope and viewing difficult #staffsbirds
With the beautiful sunshine and being mid February, no better way to spend an hour early afternoon at a site in the midlands with mates watching Goshawk. 4 birds seen including adult pair, imm fem and imm male. They really are special birds and a species I never tired of seeing
February 14, 2026 at 2:51 PM
With the beautiful sunshine and being mid February, no better way to spend an hour early afternoon at a site in the midlands with mates watching Goshawk. 4 birds seen including adult pair, imm fem and imm male. They really are special birds and a species I never tired of seeing
Early morning visit to Gailey Res in the glorious weather produced 2 Great & 7 Little Egrets, 2 Egyptian Geese, 32 Pochard, 5 Goldeneye, 4 Oyc, 13 Snipe, showy Cetti’s Wblr #staffsbirds
February 14, 2026 at 2:44 PM
Early morning visit to Gailey Res in the glorious weather produced 2 Great & 7 Little Egrets, 2 Egyptian Geese, 32 Pochard, 5 Goldeneye, 4 Oyc, 13 Snipe, showy Cetti’s Wblr #staffsbirds
After visit work to Gailey Res produced 2 Great Egret, Egyptian Goose, 27 Pochard, 6 Goldeneye, 3 Oyc, Common Sand #staffsbirds
February 11, 2026 at 6:37 PM
After visit work to Gailey Res produced 2 Great Egret, Egyptian Goose, 27 Pochard, 6 Goldeneye, 3 Oyc, Common Sand #staffsbirds
Quick after work visit to Gailey Res produced a surprise Barnacle Goose on the sailing lake. All by itself and calling as Greylags flew overhead. With the current goose influx, who knows where this came from. Also Great Egret, 2 Little Egrets, 4 Goldeneye, 3 Oyc #staffsbirds
February 9, 2026 at 5:47 PM
Quick after work visit to Gailey Res produced a surprise Barnacle Goose on the sailing lake. All by itself and calling as Greylags flew overhead. With the current goose influx, who knows where this came from. Also Great Egret, 2 Little Egrets, 4 Goldeneye, 3 Oyc #staffsbirds
Had Chasewater to myself for the roost this evening. Hard work but managed to pick up a 1st w Caspian Gull which was sat on a buoy and was bossing the other gulls around it. It then flew giving nice views of the pale underwing landing much closer. Also 13 Goosander noted #staffsbirds
February 8, 2026 at 6:12 PM
Had Chasewater to myself for the roost this evening. Hard work but managed to pick up a 1st w Caspian Gull which was sat on a buoy and was bossing the other gulls around it. It then flew giving nice views of the pale underwing landing much closer. Also 13 Goosander noted #staffsbirds
A few hours at Gailey Res this morning produced Great Egret, 7 Little Egret, Egyptian Goose, 29 Pochard, 7 Goldeneye, 2 Oyc, 26 Snipe #staffsbirds
February 8, 2026 at 1:46 PM
A few hours at Gailey Res this morning produced Great Egret, 7 Little Egret, Egyptian Goose, 29 Pochard, 7 Goldeneye, 2 Oyc, 26 Snipe #staffsbirds
With the scarcity of Smew nowadays,I took a family day out to East Mids. Eyebrook Res held 6+Smew inc 4 drks. Undoubtedly my favourite duck sp.Also 11 Scaup, Pinkfoot and plenty of Red Kites. At nearby Rutland Water the RN Grebe gave decent views off the dam. Also 18 Russian Whitefronts & Green Wood
February 7, 2026 at 6:02 PM
With the scarcity of Smew nowadays,I took a family day out to East Mids. Eyebrook Res held 6+Smew inc 4 drks. Undoubtedly my favourite duck sp.Also 11 Scaup, Pinkfoot and plenty of Red Kites. At nearby Rutland Water the RN Grebe gave decent views off the dam. Also 18 Russian Whitefronts & Green Wood
After work visit to Gailey Res produced 2 Great Egret, 26 Pochard, 7 Goldeneye, 2 Oyc #staffsbirds
February 4, 2026 at 5:38 PM
After work visit to Gailey Res produced 2 Great Egret, 26 Pochard, 7 Goldeneye, 2 Oyc #staffsbirds
With the slightly lighter evenings, took the chance on getting to Chasewater roost. Only had 15 minutes decent viewing but picked out a nice ad Med Gull at the front of the roost. @julianallen.bsky.social also had 1st Caspian Gull before I arrived #staffsbirds
February 2, 2026 at 6:15 PM
With the slightly lighter evenings, took the chance on getting to Chasewater roost. Only had 15 minutes decent viewing but picked out a nice ad Med Gull at the front of the roost. @julianallen.bsky.social also had 1st Caspian Gull before I arrived #staffsbirds
A few hours at Blithfield today produced RT Diver, Great Egret, 2 Shelduck, 2 drk Goosander, Oyc, 12 Snipe, 2 ad YL Gull, 40 Common Gull, 3+singing Mistle Thrush, 4 Stonechat #staffsbirds
February 1, 2026 at 2:13 PM
A few hours at Blithfield today produced RT Diver, Great Egret, 2 Shelduck, 2 drk Goosander, Oyc, 12 Snipe, 2 ad YL Gull, 40 Common Gull, 3+singing Mistle Thrush, 4 Stonechat #staffsbirds
After work visit to Gailey Res produced my first Oyc of the year. Also Great Egret, 2 Egyptian Geese, 27 Pochard, 2 Goldeneye #staffsbirdd
January 30, 2026 at 5:45 PM
After work visit to Gailey Res produced my first Oyc of the year. Also Great Egret, 2 Egyptian Geese, 27 Pochard, 2 Goldeneye #staffsbirdd
Morning visit to Gailey Res was much the same as recently. 2 Great & 6 Little Egrets, 2 Gadwall, 25 Pochard, & the overwintering Common Sand only birds of note #staffsbirds
January 25, 2026 at 2:18 PM
Morning visit to Gailey Res was much the same as recently. 2 Great & 6 Little Egrets, 2 Gadwall, 25 Pochard, & the overwintering Common Sand only birds of note #staffsbirds
Enjoyable family days in North Staffs and venturing just over the border. Nice views of Shorelark, a couple of increasingly rare Willow Tits, & the expected Red Grouse. Beautiful scenery too
January 24, 2026 at 7:08 PM
Enjoyable family days in North Staffs and venturing just over the border. Nice views of Shorelark, a couple of increasingly rare Willow Tits, & the expected Red Grouse. Beautiful scenery too
Early morning visit to Gailey Res produced 1 Great Egret, 1 Little Egret, Egyptian Goose, 2 Teal, 17 Pochard, Common Sand, 22 Snipe. Followed by an hour at Whitemoor Haye for 5 Grey Partridge & Merlin #staffsbirds
January 18, 2026 at 1:39 PM
Early morning visit to Gailey Res produced 1 Great Egret, 1 Little Egret, Egyptian Goose, 2 Teal, 17 Pochard, Common Sand, 22 Snipe. Followed by an hour at Whitemoor Haye for 5 Grey Partridge & Merlin #staffsbirds
Took Dave the short journey over the county border to Hurley late morning. The Yellow-Browed Wblr performed superbly(pic from phone). Undoubtedly the most confiding one I have seen. Also Little Egret, fem Stonechat, 3 nominate Chiffchaff & 10+Yellowhammers. Followed by lunch and a hot drink. Ideal!
January 11, 2026 at 2:41 PM
Took Dave the short journey over the county border to Hurley late morning. The Yellow-Browed Wblr performed superbly(pic from phone). Undoubtedly the most confiding one I have seen. Also Little Egret, fem Stonechat, 3 nominate Chiffchaff & 10+Yellowhammers. Followed by lunch and a hot drink. Ideal!
Morning visit to Gailey Res was beautiful after the fog cleared. Pinkfoot amongst a few hundred Greylags, drk Wigeon, 11 Pochard, drk Goldeneye, 14 Snipe, Chiffchaff, Redpoll #staffsbirds
January 10, 2026 at 12:37 PM
Morning visit to Gailey Res was beautiful after the fog cleared. Pinkfoot amongst a few hundred Greylags, drk Wigeon, 11 Pochard, drk Goldeneye, 14 Snipe, Chiffchaff, Redpoll #staffsbirds
Quick visit to the deep end at Blithfield after visiting the tip this morning produced the mobile RT Diver close to the causeway and the 1st w drk Scaup with Tufteds off Watery Lane. Also noted Red Kite, Bullfinch and Nuthatch #staffsbirds
January 4, 2026 at 11:42 AM
Quick visit to the deep end at Blithfield after visiting the tip this morning produced the mobile RT Diver close to the causeway and the 1st w drk Scaup with Tufteds off Watery Lane. Also noted Red Kite, Bullfinch and Nuthatch #staffsbirds
Annual family visit to @slimbridge-wild.bsky.social was quality with over 70 species. 1 Great & 8 Cattle Egrets, 2 Whooper and 55+Bewick’s, c110 Russian Whitefronts, 14 Tundra Beans, 2 Pinkfeet,2 Peregrine,3 unringed Cranes, Water Rail,41 Avocet, 2 Little Stint, Firecrest, Chiffchaff the highlights
January 3, 2026 at 6:20 PM
Annual family visit to @slimbridge-wild.bsky.social was quality with over 70 species. 1 Great & 8 Cattle Egrets, 2 Whooper and 55+Bewick’s, c110 Russian Whitefronts, 14 Tundra Beans, 2 Pinkfeet,2 Peregrine,3 unringed Cranes, Water Rail,41 Avocet, 2 Little Stint, Firecrest, Chiffchaff the highlights
A late afternoon visit to Gailey Res in the bitter cold until produced an unexpected Chiffchaff along the causeway in hawthorns and even bathing. Also noted 4 Little Egrets, 15 Pochard, drk Goldeneye, Common Sand along with a few new bits for the year like Grey Wag and Nuthatch #staffsbirds
January 2, 2026 at 5:00 PM
A late afternoon visit to Gailey Res in the bitter cold until produced an unexpected Chiffchaff along the causeway in hawthorns and even bathing. Also noted 4 Little Egrets, 15 Pochard, drk Goldeneye, Common Sand along with a few new bits for the year like Grey Wag and Nuthatch #staffsbirds
Being fortunate enough to live close to The Chase, it was only a short journey in the icy conditions this morning. Not a great deal of wildlife but a few new bits for the year in beautiful conditions.
January 2, 2026 at 4:53 PM
Being fortunate enough to live close to The Chase, it was only a short journey in the icy conditions this morning. Not a great deal of wildlife but a few new bits for the year in beautiful conditions.
A decent first day of 2026 totaling 73 species. Started at Gailey Res at dawn ending at Whitemoor Haye at dusk with a couple of sites in between.Highlights 5 Great Egret, 3 Slav Grebe, 3 Whoopers, 2 Russian Whitefronts, 2 RC Pochard, Red Kite, Goshawk, Water Rail, 6 YL Gull, Common Sand #staffsbirds
January 1, 2026 at 6:30 PM
A decent first day of 2026 totaling 73 species. Started at Gailey Res at dawn ending at Whitemoor Haye at dusk with a couple of sites in between.Highlights 5 Great Egret, 3 Slav Grebe, 3 Whoopers, 2 Russian Whitefronts, 2 RC Pochard, Red Kite, Goshawk, Water Rail, 6 YL Gull, Common Sand #staffsbirds
Dawn visit to Gailey Res to early afternoon produced 2 Great Egret, 6 Little Egret, 3 Goldeneye, 10 Pochard, Water Rail, Common Sand, 5 Snipe, Cetti’s Wblr, good no’s regular Thrushes, 4 Redpoll, a few Raven #staffsbirds
January 1, 2026 at 5:20 PM
Dawn visit to Gailey Res to early afternoon produced 2 Great Egret, 6 Little Egret, 3 Goldeneye, 10 Pochard, Water Rail, Common Sand, 5 Snipe, Cetti’s Wblr, good no’s regular Thrushes, 4 Redpoll, a few Raven #staffsbirds