Highlights of 2024 for me included 2 separate records of Waxwings, 2 Ospreys, numerous sightings of Hawfinch, Goshawks and Great White Egrets.
The most unexpected sighting was of a Hooded Crow near Moat Farm - potentially the first Worcestershire record since the 1980s.
Waders were pretty thin on the ground, but included a flock of 17 Golden Plovers in January and a couple of sightings of Woodcock.
There was a good showing of Yellow Wagtails (mainly in the spring) and Whinchats (mainly in the Autumn) plus a few other scarce migrants, like Wheatears, Spotted Flycatchers, Tree Pipits, Common Redstarts and Garden Warblers. Grasshopper Warblers were only recorded on spring passage this year.
Several records of Shelducks in the spring were the first for several years.
Stonechats bred on the patch for the first time this year, producing two fledged juveniles, as did Egyptian Geese (producing 6 young). Cuckoos seemed to have a reasonable year, with 3 juveniles noted, in and out of the nest.
Unfortunately, I missed the White Storks and the Marsh Harrier that were also recorded on the patch this year.
Non-avian highlight included Otters, Hares, Roe Deer, Muntjac, Weasels and Glow Worms.
Hoping for something special in 2025. Happy New Year to all.
