A successful but eventful twitch, by public transport and taxi for the Long-tailed Shrike at Eastleach Martin, Gloucestershire. My thanks to several people for their assistance today. To @GlosterBirder.bsky.social for the finding of the bird, also to the farmer and all the volunteers.

15/07/26 A very rewarding and enjoyable few hours birding after work at sites in Essex. The Hudsonian Godwit at Manningtree showed very well. Caspian Tern & Ring-necked Duck observed at Abberton Reservoir EWT. Thanks Dad for doing the driving. @EssexBirdNews.bsky.social

07/06/26 A good dav with @EssexBirdNews.bsky.social to Thursley Common NNR. Excellent views of Woodlark, Dartford Warbler, Common Redstart, Tree Pipit & Mandarin Duck were had. A few Silver-studded Blue Butterflies & Small Red Damselfly also put in appearance despite the weather conditions.

10/05/26 A day out with @EssexBirdNews.bsky.social to Rye Harbour SWT NR. Despite overcast and windy conditions a good variety of birds were seen including, Black-winged Stilt, Garganey, Western Cattle Egret, Eurasian Hobby, Little Stint, Little Tern & Eurasian Whimbrel. @sussexwildlife.social

03/05/26 Thanks to the finder @ETilburyBirder.bsky.social and my Dad for the lift, I was delighted to see the Ross's Gull at #ewtthurrockthamesidenaturepark. A lifer for me and the first for Essex aswell. @EssexBirdNews.bsky.social

12/04/26 A good day out with @essexbirdnews.bsky.social to @suffolkwildlife.bsky.social #CarltonMarshesSWT 82 bird species recorded. The highlights included, Ring Ouzel (2), Eurasian Bittern, Western Cattle Egret, Yellow-legged Gull, Northern Wheatear, Common Kingfisher, Ruff & Sedge Warbler.

11/04/26 A good day out with @SwallowBirding.bsky.social in Norfolk despite the wind!! Excellent views of Red Crossbill, Brambling, Tree Pipit, Eurasian Stone Curlew, Woodlark & Marsh Tit. A Supporting cast of other birds seen included, Northern Goshawk, Common House Martin & Northern Wheatear.

15/02/26 A day out with @EssexBirdNews.bsky.social to Holkham NNR in the rain, sleet & snow!!! Despite these difficult conditions, we saw a variety of birds including, Western Barn Owl, Great Egret, Eurasian Woodcock, Peregrine Falcon, European Stonechat + 6 species of Goose.

/02/26- A good day out with @SwallowBirding.bsky.social in Suffolk. Excellent views of species that included, Woodlark, Dartford Warbler, Red Crossbill, Common Firecrest, Marsh Tit, Bearded Reedling, Water Pipit, Caspian Gull & Greater Scaup + Western Marsh Harriers, were sky dancing.

Emergency Appeal Launched After Storm Goretti Hits Isles of Scilly Wildlife Sites www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/v2/Content/E...

Emergency Appeal Launched After Storm Goretti Hits Isles of Scilly Wildlife Sites

Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust says urgent funding is needed to repair habitat damage, prevent erosion and restore access to trails and reserves

rarebirdalert.co.uk

17/01/26 A good day out with @SwallowBirding.bsky.social in Suffolk, despite the mist rolling in mid-afternoon & curtailing the day. Avian highlights - Woodlark (6), Dartford Warbler, Little Stint, Russian White-fronted, Brant & Tundra Bean Geese, Peregrine Falcon & Western Cattle Egret.

30/11/25. Thanks to information from @darylrhymes.bsky.social this juvenile Whooper Swan was showing well on Central Park Lake, Chelmsford. @essexbirdnews.bsky.social

09/11/25 A good day with @essexbirdnews.bsky.social visiting #RSPBFrampton & #RSPBFreistonShore 77 Species recorded. Highlights, Whooper Swans (10), Merlin (2) successfully chasing a pipit, Male Hen Harrier, Eurasian Spoonbill, Peregrine, Great Egret, Pink-footed Goose, & Common Kingfisher.

Just back from a fortnight on Isles of Scilly. Memories made & laughs had with friends & fellow birders. Highlights included, Mourning Dove - Britain's first. Eyebrowed Thrush, Eurasian Hoopoe, American Pipit, Spotted Sandpiper & Common Rosefinch. + Orca x3 on #Scillypelagics

21/09/25 A very good day out with @essexbirdnews.bsky.social visiting the Dungeness estate & #RSPBDungeness . Avian highlights, Parasitic Jaeger, Red-throated Loon, Manx Shearwater, Glossy Ibis, Black Redstart, Whinchat, Eurasian Hobby, & Eurasian Bittern. Common Lizard seen aswell #kentbirding

20/09/25 A very good day out with @swallowbirding.bsky.social to #RSPBTitchwell Highlights for all were, Curlew Sandpiper & Little Stint - both gave exceptional views. Also, Brant Goose & Pink-footed Goose - first of autumn, Coal Tit, Parasitic Jaeger (3), Caspian Gull & Eurasian Hobby.

Just back from a nice, relaxed weeks holiday in Norfolk, with plenty of memories and a good number of bird species seen. Very pleased to have observed the Black-winged Kite at Hickling Broads NWT, having not been able to anywhere in 2023. Thanks Mum and Dad for changing your plans on the Sunday.

24/08/25 Thanks to information from David Ackfield, whilst on Fremnells Causeway, #EWTHanningfield Good 'scope views were had of 2 Black Terns from the fishing lodge carpark. @essexbirdnews.bsky.social #essexbirds

Incredible footage of Goshawk predating Hobby chick. Will likely return 😬 - watch live here: www.youtube.com/live/MJaRwj4... #birds #ukbirds #ornithology Web cam by the amazing Wildlife Windows www.wildlifewindows.co.uk

10/08/25 This morning I was able to observe the juvenile Black Stork at RSPB Boyton Marshes. The bird spent most of the time asleep, but did awaken from time to time and have a preen. @rspb.bsky.social #suffolkbirding #ukbirds

20/07/25 A afternoon visit to #RSPBRyeMeads enabled the adult Black-crowned Night Heron to be seen. Other avian highlights on the reserve were, Red-crested Pochard, Common Tern, Eurasian Oystercatcher x2, Green Sandpiper x3 and a female Tufted Duck with 13 ducklings. #Hertsbirds

12/07/25 This Jersey Tiger Moth was the undoubted highlight for me, on a local walk in Writtle.

18/5 A good day out @RSPB.bsky.social #RSPBDungeness & around @Dungenessbirdobs.bsky.social with @EssexBirdNews.bsky.social 85 species recorded by coach party. Highlights, Northern Gannet, Eurasian Whimbrel, Peregrine, Black Redstart, Common Greenshank, Spotted Flycatcher, & Western Cattle Egret.

03/05/25. A nice few hours at Rainham Marshes RSPB. The female Blue-winged Teal showed well and there was a good day list, seen in warm sunshine with, Eurasian Hobby x4, Bearded Reedling, Great Egret, Eurasian Reed Warbler & Western Marsh Harrier some of the highlights. @essexbirdnews.bsky.social

27/4 A good and warm day out with @essexbirdnews.bsky.social visiting #RSPBTheLodge. 51 species recorded by the coach party. Highlights were, Garden Warbler, Eurasian Hobby & Northern Raven feeding young. Also good to see, Small Copper Butterfly, Cinnabar Moth, Palmate Newts & Large Red Damselfly.

13/4 A Northern Wheatear was a very nice on my walk around some of Writtle, Essex, being only my second for the patch. A Lesser Whitethroat was my first of the year, and there was an increase in Common Whitethroat numbers since the first on Friday. @essexbirdnews.bsky.social #essexbirding #bcbw25

06/04/25. A few hours at Hanningfield Reservoir EWT Reserve, gave my first sighting of Barn Swallow this year. Other species seen included, Northern Raven (1), Common Merganser (3 - Redheads), Common Goldeneye, Western Marsh Harrier & Mediterranean Gull (4) @essexbirdnews.bsky.social #essexbirding

A good day out visiting sites in the Brecks with @essexbirdnews.bsky.social Over 60 bird species recorded. Highlights included, Hawfinch x4, Common Firecrest, Woodlark, Western Marsh Harrier, Brambling, Redpoll & Marsh Tit. Comma, Red Admiral, Brimstone and Peacock Butterfly also seen.

A good day with @essexbirdnews.bsky.social to Titchwell Marsh RSPB in North Norfolk. Highlights from the group of 80+ species seen, despite overcast & breezy conditions were, Eurasian Woodcock, Tawny Owl, Hen Harrier, Water Rail, Mediterranean Gull, Eurasian Siskin, Long-tailed Duck & Red Kite.

A good day out with @essexbirdnews.bsky.social to Rutland Water NR. 83 species recorded by the coach party. Highlights were, Western Cattle Egret, Common Loon, Horned Grebe, Common Kingfisher, Eurasian Bullfinch, Great Egret, Water Rail, Dunlin, Peregrine Falcon, Eurasian Siskin and Fieldfare.