Steve Richards

Avid patch watcher, Staffs and UK lister. Love all things birds, foreign travel, football, heavy music, good food & beer.

[Steve Richards @TheSnapper1978]

Late afternoon visit to Gailey Res produced 3 Little Egrets, Red Kite flew low West, 5 Oyc + 1 well grown chick, Spot Fly, Garden Wblr @Staffsbirdnews

[Steve Richards @TheSnapper1978]

Morning walk with the parents for a few miles along the coastline thru desert steppe.Quiet for birds in windy conditions.A few Cory’s Shears offshore,Southern Grey Shrike & the ubiquitous Spanish Sparrows & Red-Vented Bulbuls.Also noted Atlantic Lizards & Barbary Ground Squirrels

[Steve Richards @TheSnapper1978]

Birds aside, highlight of today was the impeccable behaviour of my little partner in crime. Helping my dad over rocky ground & ensuring we all had food & drink. Dave is the bomb ❤️

[Steve Richards @TheSnapper1978]

Sat with the family having a drink and Spanish Sparrows feeding around our feet. The commonest bird on Fuerteventura but one I really quite like.

[Steve Richards @TheSnapper1978]

On drive back to hotel, we stopped off at the coastal village of La Pared. Another cracking spot with sev Cory’s Shearwaters passing close inshore & entertaining Barbary Ground Squirrels.

[Steve Richards @TheSnapper1978]

We then made the short drive to the Barranco de los Molinos. A really beautiful wild location. Absolute highlight was a family of 4 Fuerteventura Stonechats showing very well.

[Steve Richards @TheSnapper1978]

Hired a car today & took family to Embalse de los Molinos.Superb scenery and very birdy.60 Ruddy Shelduck, 2 ‘Barbary’ Peregrines,2 Egyptian Vultures,10 BW Stilts,20 Black-Bellied S’Grouse,2 Hoopoes,sev Southern Grey Shrikes,5 Berthelots Pipits,7 Lesser ST Larks,2 Trumpeter Finch

[Steve Richards @TheSnapper1978]

A very windy day on Fuerteventura. Just a short walk from the hotel was hard work with the weather. Nevertheless Berthelot’s Pipit located and good to hear the distinctive call. Some impressive desert scenery

[Steve Richards @TheSnapper1978]

@MYBirding We’re at Costa Calma. I’ve seen all the main stuff before but will hire a car and take family out for day. Hopefully will get the chat and a few others bits

[Steve Richards @TheSnapper1978]

After a delayed flight y’day,nice to take it easy on Fuerteventura. Spanish Sparrows everywhere but more interesting were 3 African Sacred Ibis & sev Red-Vented Bulbuls.Naturalised escapes which are now part of the avifauna.Always entertaining to see the Barbary Ground Squirrels

[Steve Richards @TheSnapper1978]

Couple of hours at Belvide this afternoon with Dave was thoroughly enjoyable. The 1st s Bonaparte’s Gull again gave great views. Also noted Red Kite, ringed 1st s Caspian Gull, 2 YL Gull(ringed 2nd s & 3rd s), ad Med Gull, plenty of warblers singing.

[Steve Richards @TheSnapper1978]

Early morning visit to Gailey Res produced 2 Egyptian Geese, Common Tern, 4 Oyc + 2 young, Common Sand, 2 Yellow Wag, 7 Reed Wblr, Garden Wblr. Also at nearby WMI off Gravelly Way 2 LRP @Staffsbirdnews

[Steve Richards @TheSnapper1978]

Belvide does it again! The smart 1st s Bonaparte’s Gull gave some nice flight views but even better when it landed on the Chappell bund. 30 years since my last and only other in Staffs! Also BN Grebe & drk Scaup as a nice back up.

[Steve Richards @TheSnapper1978]

@BelvideBirding Cheers for the heads up. I was very conveniently placed.

[Steve Richards @TheSnapper1978]

At Gailey Res this morning Osprey N(per earlier report), pr Oyc with 2 young, 5 Common Sand, Spot Fly, sev Reed Wblr, Sedge Wblr @Staffsbirdnews

[Steve Richards @TheSnapper1978]

At Gailey Res my first Spotted Fly of the year below the dam @Staffsbirdnews

[Steve Richards @TheSnapper1978]

At Gailey Res Osprey 08:09-08:17 then headed N towards The Chase @Staffsbirdnews

[Steve Richards @TheSnapper1978]

@pmandrews1973 @BelvideBirding Yep, my first was 29 years ago in Notts. Where does time go?!?

[Steve Richards @TheSnapper1978]

With a bit of time spare before a family birthday celebration, no better way to spend an hour enjoying one of my favourite migrants the Wood Wblr. Outstanding views of a very vocal individual. Doesn’t get much better!

[Steve Richards @TheSnapper1978]

A few hours at Belvide this evening. After a couple of brief views, the Great Reed Wblr finally gave itself up on top of an oak tree! One of the most random sightings I’ve had in Staffs. Also BN Grebe, drk Mandarin, sev Common Terns, & plenty of Garden, Reed & Sedge Wblrs.