Sandwich Tern at Greenhithe, Kent at 7pm this evening. Always a decent sight on the River Thames. #kentbirding
Half a dozen Yellow-legged Gulls on the River Thames in southeast London this morning, including this juvenile at Greenhaven Drive, Thamesmead - one of three of this age seen today.
1st-summer Caspian Gull enjoying the loaves at Erith Pier, London this morning. Extremely worn and in active moult.
One of two juvenile Yellow-legged Gulls on the River Thames in southeast London today - this one at Greenhaven Drive, Thamesmead and another was at Erith Pier. First double figure count of the species this year too.
drake Ruddy Shelduck again on the River Thames by the jetty at Crossness, London at high tide late a'noon. Lacking the collar from a couple of weeks ago but a bit of research revealed when in eclipse, drakes lose their collars. Every day is a school day!
2nd-summer Yellow-legged Gull at Crossness, London this a'noon. Predictably quiet on the Thames today.
drake Ruddy Shelduck showing well off Crossness Engines on the ebbing tide this a'noon. Most likely a Swiss/German bird overshooting its Dutch moulting grounds, like the c.15 seen around the country so far this month.
male Red-backed Shrike at Old Lodge, Ashdown Forest, East Sussex yesterday evening. A shame it wasn't about today, and nice to see on an English heathland where the species will have previously bred many years ago.
Langdon Cliffs to South Foreland, Kent 0710-1240 with JP: pale morph male Honey Buzzard came in off the sea at Fox Hill Down 1220, circled before heading northwest; also Crossbill west over South Foreland, 4 Swallow & 3 Swift #kentbirding
A brief soundtrack of yesterday’s Eastern Bonelli’s Warbler at Dungeness NNR, Kent. Despite getting there fairly promptly and 4 hours waiting, just a couple of very brief views. #kentbirding
Langdon Cliffs to South Foreland, Kent 0700-1200 with JP: 3 White Storks circling over Fox Hill Down 1125 to 1132 (one seen to come flapping in off the sea), 2 White Wagtail, 10 Swift, 56 Swallow & Whimbrel #kentbirding
female Blue-winged Teal showing well at Rainham Marshes RSPB, London/Essex this morning - been a while since I've seen the species so nice enough to see.
adult Purple Heron at Burham Marsh, Kent this a'noon. Distant and heat hazy, but one of the most colourful and smartest ones I've seen. And only half hour from home too. #kentbirding
Langdon Cliffs NT to South Foreland, Kent 0715-1150: 2 Ring Ouzels (1 Fox Hill Down, 1 Fan Bay), Black Redstart South Foreland, 5 Yellow Wag (one Blue-headed type) over, White Wag, 2 Sand Martin, 18 Swallow, 2 Wheatear, 2 Stonechat, Sedge Warbler, 3 Lesser Whitethroat & 20 Whitethroat. #kentbirding
1st-winter Caspian Gull at Greenhaven Drive, Thamesmead, London this morning. Despite the wear this late in the season, nice silvery tones to this bird as it showed well in decent light.
Cuckoo, Whitethroat & 2 Wheatear Porthgwarra to Nanjizal this a’noon. Ring Ouzel, Sedge Warbler, 2 Whitethroat and 2 Wheatear Land’s End to Treave Moor this morning. Pleasant day for weather with some birding promise. #cornwallbirding
adult summer Azores Gull at Newlyn harbour, Cornwall this afternoon. Compare the upper mandible scarring with birdguides.com/gallery/bird... and P4 markings with birdguides.com/gallery/bird.... In the field, felt darker with more black in outer-wing than Thames Yellow-legged Gulls. #cornwallbirding
Purple Heron at Croft Pascoe Pool, Cornwall did a flyover before heading onto Goonhilly Downs early evening. Then distant but adequate views of the reeling Savi's Warbler at Marazion to round the evening off. #cornwallbirding
Ring Ouzel, reeling Grasshopper Warbler, 5 Wheatear and 2 Canada Geese between Tregiffian Farm and Nanquidno, Cornwall this morning. 5 Swallow, 3 Sand Martin and 3 Wheatear at Gwynver y’day evening. #cornwallbirding
Gertrude the Great Bustard showing very well at Stonehenge, Wiltshire today.
1st-winter Caspian Gull on the Thames foreshore off Chandler's Drive, Erith, London this morning. A nice beefy individual and likely one of the last I'll see this season. Also 5 Common Scoter on the river very distantly from here.
1st-winter Least Sandpiper on the Stilt Pool at Medmerry RSPB Reserve, West Sussex this a'noon. A little distant most of the time, but worth the trip as it's the first I've seen in Britain for 22 years!
Woodchat Shrike at West Beach, Newhaven, East Sussex this evening. One of the absolute best spring scarce migrants.
1st-winter Caspian Gull at Greenhaven Drive, Thamesmead, London y'day a'noon. The second bird of two present, affording some pretty close views with a high tide and decent wind.
1st-winter Caspian Gull at Greenhaven Drive, Thamesmead, London. One of two present in the sunshine, cruising around in the brisk wind this afternoon.
Dark-breasted Barn Owl (race guttata) at Bourne South Fen, Lincs this morning. A really enjoyable bird - first one I've seen since one at Welney WWT, Norfolk in 2003. Nice to see Ring-necked and Ferruginous Ducks nearby too.
2nd-winter Caspian Gull at Greenhaven Drive, Thamesmead this a'noon. Nice enough views, showing off its P10 mirrors, as it sailed about the loaves in the brisk northerly breeze.
Large Tortoiseshell at Orlestone Forest, Kent this a'noon. Managed to see a couple of these rare butterflies in the unseasonably warm sunshine.
1st-winter Caspian Gull at Erith Pier, London early evening - uncharacteristically showed disdain for the loaves before heading downriver. Another 1st-winter Caspian Gull flew over Crayford Recycling Centre mid a'noon.
