Certainly 2020 was a very difficult year with birding being restricted to some degree. However this led to birders concentrating on garden and overhead house lists which resulted in many good sightings and record counts. Despite all this it was a pretty good year for Staffs with 218 species being recorded. Four new birds for Staffs was exceptional these being Surf Scoter at Chasewater, Laughing Gull at Belvide, Greenish Warbler at Cuckoo Bank and Pallid Harrier at Middleton Lakes.
Middleton Lakes
Marsh Harrier, Pintail, 13x Shelduck, 2x Pochard, 24x Snipe, 3x Great Egret, 9x Goldeneye, 4x Stonechat, YL Gull, (SPA, MSm)
Brancote Water Works Stafford
3x Green Sandpiper, Chiffchaff, 4x Grey Wagtail, 100x Pied Wagtail, 2x Stonechat, (RSw)
Bignal End
85x Pinkfoots over, (MJW)
Alvecote
2x Stonechat, 31x Lapwing, 4x Goosander, (MSc)
Great Haywood
Blackcap, (RSu)
Forsbrook-Draycott in the Moors
2x Yellowhammer, (AR)
Baldwins Gate
Brambling, (RWh)