Finally paid a visit to the Long-tailed Shrike yesterday morning. Great to see it perched up in the bramble when we arrived. Got a bit of a soaking in the rain. Photos courtesy of @paulgibbs.bsky.social #birds #ukbirding

Nice lunchtime visit to Stanwick today to see the drake Garganey. Mostly sleeping but did wake up from time to time. #northantsbirds #birds #ukbirding

Back in Northants after a week away. Yesterday at Summer Leys 3 Sandwich Tern, county ✅. Then this morning close views of Whimbrel at Clifford Hill. #northantsbirds #ukbirding #birds

Male Wheatear, one of my favourite birds. This one seen at Clifford Hill late morning after missing it earlier on. #northantsbirds

Decided to shelter from the rain at Summer Leys this morning and it paid off! Glossy Ibis and Curlew. But best of all was finding this adult Kittiwake. My first for Northants. #northantsbirds #birds #ukbirding

A great day birding in Northants. 2 Black-tailed Godwit, Redshank and a year tick Cetti's 🫣 at Summer Leys. Then news broke of a Red-necked Grebe at Kinewell Lake, showed well as soon as I arrived. Northants tick number 200! #northantsbirds #ukbirding #birds

I wasn't optimistic about my chances of seeing the Red-throated Diver first thing this morning at Ravensthorpe in the fog. Luckily it popped up only a couple of meters off the dam and was showing well. County tick 199 for me. #northantsbirds #birds #ukbirding

Finally caught up with the Tundra Bean Goose at Stanwick this afternoon. Nice winter sunset as well. County list on 198. #northantsbirds #ukbirding #birds

Great views of Crossbills today at Salcey Forest as they were coming down to ground level to drink. #northantsbirds #ukbirding

First opportunity to get out properly this year, spent the morning at Titchmarsh LNR. American Wigeon drake still and then great views of Scaup and Ring-necked Duck at Town Lake, Thrapston GP. #northantsbirds #birds #ukbirding

Finished the year with 215 for the UK. 179 in Northants for 2025, including 11 county ticks. Highlights include the Lesser Scaup, White-winged Black Tern and the self-found Red-footed Falcon on the patch. Looking forward to seeing what 2026 produces. Happy New year #northantsbirds #birds

2 County tick day after being away over the Christmas break. 8 Corn Bunting at least still near Deanshanger, then the American Wigeon at Titchmarsh. Smew and White-fronted Goose at Clifford Hill as well rounded off the day nicely. #northantsbirds #birds #ukbirding

County tick Black Redstart on a grey and rainy afternoon at Abington. Great find by @tylapwing.bsky.social. #northantsbirds #birds

Went for a second viewing of the Lesser Scaup on Saturday at Rushden. Wasn't expecting to see a bonus redhead Smew on the lake opposite. Seemed to have gone by the next day #northantsbirds #birds #ukbirding

After being away when news broke of the Lesser Scaup this week, I was glad it hung around for me to catch up with it this morning. #northantsbirds #birds #ukbirding

After a recent failed attempt for the Lesser Scaup, I was glad to see the American Golden Plover stuck around for long enough at Clifford Hill GP this afternoon. #northantsbirds #ukbirding

Just the 9 Wader species this morning at Clifford Hill. Not bad going with Knot, Turnstone, Sanderling and Grey Plover being the highlights. I think Northants has had 15(?) Wader sp. in total today. Who needs North Norfolk 😅 #northantsbirds

White-winged Black Tern yesterday at Summer Leys. A nice UK tick. Great views as it went up and down over the main lake. #Northantsbirds #birds #ukbirding

What a morning at Clifford Hill! Was content with a fly over Whimbrel and heading back home came across this Red-footed Falcon! Lifer on the local patch, absolute gold. #birds #ukbirding #northantsbirds

Had a fantastic week in Cyprus, which started with the WP mega Lesser Moorhen.

Ortolan Bunting in Cyprus last week

Squacco Heron, M1 pools, Cyprus

Spanish Sparrow collecting nesting material, Paphos, Cyprus. #cyprusbirds

A great day in the county yesterday. Started at Summer Leys with Garden Warbler, Blackwit, 6 Dunlin and Common Sand. Then Clifford Hill with 6 Avocet and a brief Whimbrel drop in before flying off east. #Northantsbirds #birds #ukbirding

Sardinian Warbler, Asprokremmos Dam, Cyprus.

Good lunch time walk at Clifford Hill today. 1st Little Ringed Plover of the year beating the earliest ever for Northants by a day. 4 Oystercatcher and a Redshank. Plus a Cattle Egret with all the sheep. #Northantsbirds #Ukbirding #birds

Now seen Ring-necked Duck 3 years in a row in Northants. Visit to Thrapston today and seeing my first ever drake. Marsh Harrier present as well. #northantsbirds #birds #ukbirding

After the closest views of Smew the other week, normal service was resumed on Sunday with this drake at Clifford Hill. Still good to find one though. #northantsbirds #birds #ukbirding

Managed a brief stop at Ravensthorpe Reservoir today to see the 2 Smew. Closest views I've ever had. #northantsbirds #ukbirding #birds

Finally added Blackcap to the year list yesterday with a male in the garden. Then at Harrington AF later, views of Barn Owl, Short-eared Owl and Woodcock. #Northantsbirds #ukbirding