Today I had a phone call around 9am to say there was a Lapland Bunting at Berry Hill Stoke on Trent. This was a Staffs tick for me and the first twitchable one in the county for 11 years. An hour later I was yomping up the hill with Steve Richards. On arrival the bird had just gone out of view. It was decided a better vantage point was needed to see the bird but just as we were getting set up the bird took flight and flew a fair way off and out of view. Dam and blast are the only printable words I can put to my reaction and a frantic search for the bird pursued. After 15 minutes there was no sign, but then a phone call to my mobile said the bird had flown back to the original spot. Cracking views were then enjoyed by the dozen or so birders gathered as it pecked around on a small mound.

It should also be said that a certain Bernard Smith has gone on holiday to Spain for 2 weeks. The significance in all this is that every time Bernie goes away on holiday a good Staffordshire bird turns up. This list includes Belted Kingfisher, Squacco Heron, Spotted Sandpiper, Purple Heron, Ring-necked Duck, Spotted Crake, Bearded Tit and now this. So I urge all Staffordshire birders to get out in the field for the next 2 weeks and find that Mega bird that must be lurking about.

Meanwhile at Belvide a short afternoon visit produced the 1st winter drake Scaup, 2 Brambling, 3 Curlew, 45 Sand Martin and 224 Coot were counted.