Marsh Harriers have been increasingly seen year-on-year marburypatch but usually only passing thru. This year however we have a 3cy male and a 2cy female paired up, displaying and nest building. Male then female in video. #urbanharriers Cheshire & Wirral Ornithological Society RSPB

A male Whinchat was a good find this morning by Barrie Armitt on Ashton's Flash marburypatch around the famous chat bushes. Still scarce here but we usually get at least one a year.

Up to 3 Grasshopper Warblers are currently holding territory around the Witton Flashes marburypatch and this one was on show at Haydn's Pool yesterday.

Interesting selection of wagtails at the sailing club at Budworth Mere marburypatch this morning, including 2 male Blue-headed type Yellow Wagtails. Video below of the paler one which seems a good fit for hybrid 'Channel' Wag. Other was brighter headed with all yellow throat.

This 2cy immature Kittiwake was found at Budworth Mere marburypatch this morning by Mike Mulholland and was showing well at the sailing club as the rain moved in. The brown plumage tones indicate moult into first summer plumage. Cheshire & Wirral Ornithological Society C & W BIRD NEWS

Six hours marburypatch this morning produced a decent return of 71 species inc Arctic Tern, 2 Mandarins, juv Marsh Harrier, 2 f Wheatears, 4 LRP, Gropper and 3 Reed Warblers. Overall dearth of passage waders a concern though

It will be interesting to see how many of the Cuckoos reported today (all heard only of course) make it into county bird reports.

The passage of large gulls marburypatch has been much reduced in recent years so this Yellow-legged Gull at Neumann's Flash this morning was a pleasing find. Not quite a full adult I think. Cheshire & Wirral Ornithological Society

The 2023 bird report for Marbury & Witton Flashes ⁦marburypatch⁩ has been sent out to all those who have registered an interest in the past. Highlights and individual reviews for 143 species recorded. Many thanks to all contributors. ⁦Cheshire & Wirral Ornithological Society⁩

A female Marsh Harrier has been seen occasionally around marburypatch since the 19th and must have roosted overnight on Ashton's Flash as it was showing fairly well this morning, although the light at dawn wasn't great.

Even with a thermal camera this Jack Snipe took ages to finally see well marburypatch this morning. That camouflages is remarkably effective. #notflushed .

Explored some of the lesser visited areas of marburypatch this morning and was pleased to find a couple of roosting Woodcock (7 seen in total), along with a pair of Stonechats, 3 Fieldfare (scarce recently), 34 Skylarks, and 10 grounded Pinkfeet.

Began the birding New Year with a visit to Neumann's Flash marburypatch for the spectacular Starling murmuration. Up to 40k have been roosting here this winter. Good supporting cast of 4 Sprawks, 235 Wigeon, and 44 Shoveler, plus 16 Woodcock departing their daytime roosts.

Strangely enough best year in recent memory at Budworth Mere marburypatch in Cheshire with up to 8 at a time.

I found this female Greater Scaup at Budworth Mere y'day, rather surprisingly the first marburypatch since Apr 2108 so a rarity nowadays. Looks like a 1cy with mostly dark eye, some darker markings on the white around the bill, and little contrast on the mantle.

Antpittas are a highlight of any birding tour of northern South America. We saw 10 species in Colombia, 8 of which are shown on the short video montage below. The work that goes into habituating these wild birds is immense and relieves pressure on 'luring' at other sites.

Last day in Colombia in the beautiful Santa Marta mountains. 504 species in 16 days birding, 120 of which were lifers. A memorable trip and many thanks to Colombia Birdwatch and their excellent guides.

Buffy Helmetcrest was one of the main targets of our current Colombia trip. 4 seen today at 4500m in Los Nevados NP in the Central Andes, including this male.