REVIEW OF THE YEAR 2014

January - 67 species, highlights -  Green-winged Teal a first record for the flashes, Mealy Redpoll 

February - 7 species, 74 year list, 65 for the month, highlights - incredibly early Avocet

March - 10 species, 84 year list, 75 for the month, highlights - Bearded Tit (2) first patch record and most probably find of the year...awesome!! plus an early Wheatear.

April - 18 species, 102 year list, 89 for the month. Without doubt THE best month of the year to be out and about, with new birds passing through almost daily. highlights - Arctic Tern, Egyptian Goose, Great White Egret, Little Egret and Tree Pipit

the other bird that put Ashton's Flash on the map this year was the delightful bouncing Jack Snipe

surprised to find a Pinky on Ashton's

Ashton's first Whimbrel of 2014 and probably first in Cheshire this year

May - 11 species, 113 year list, 87 for the month. highlights - Avocet (several), Garganey, Hobby, Spoonbill and best of all a fabulous drake Ring-necked Duck a first record for the flashes, what a find!

thanks go to Dave Bedford for the ace record shots

June - 3 species, 116 year list, 79 for the month. highlights - Med Gull, Sanderling and Spotted Redshank

July - 3 species, 119 year list, 76 for the month.

August - nothing new added, 84 for the month. A blue phase Snow Goose appeared but at the wrong time of the year.

September - 2 species, 121 year list, 80 for the month. highlights - Ruff

October - 4 species, 125 year list, 71 for the month. highlights - Goosander, Little Stint, Mandarin and Yellow-legged Gull.

November - 2 species, 127 year list, 72 for the month. highlights - Whooper Swan and Willow Tit

December - nothing new added, 60 for the month.

Final total - 127 species for 2014 (a new world record) all the best for 2015

@patchbirding 153 points

see you on the patch #theflashes