Greater Flamingo (Phoenicopterus roseus), A Spring in Provence © Brian Small

Ashy-headed Wagtail (Motacilla flava cinereocapilla), A Spring in Provence © Brian Small

Postcard from the field, from tour leaders Dave Fairhurst & Brian Small in southern France:

Our A Spring in Provence tour is under way, and we've spent a wonderful day in the wetlands of the Camargue, with masses of birds on show. More birds, butterflies, wildflowers to follow in the coming days...

The bank is now roped off, but in several attempts this week, including 2 hours this morning, I have not seen it either...

We hope to get it roped off this week

Zitting Cisticola at Walberswick showed 6 times in 70 minutes this morning viewing from beach; please do not walk out into marsh along raised bank (like this person), there is no guarantee you will see it (like this person)... #ukbirding #suffolkbirding

3 juvs were fledged from UK birds in 2025. As this is a juvenile, it should be one of those, but as far as I know they still have radio tags fitted...

The highlight of a @naturetrek.bsky.social weekend in Suffolk was this juv White-tailed Eagle that appeared over the group at Minsmere sluice - the 10 Adders were pushed to a close second. Ringed on both legs, but where as it is not a tracked IOW bird apparently...#ukbirding #suffolkbirding

eBird Checklist - 24 Feb 2026 - Reydon Marshes - 21 species Submitted by Brian Small.

This is the set that I put through AI - ebird.org/checklist/S3... - the 8th image at least came back as Tundra

...a couple more pix #ukbirding #suffolkbirding

This bean goose at Reydon Marshes confused me. Eventually I identified it as Tundra, however I put several photos through AI and the response was: 50% bean goose sp.; 25% Taiga; 25% Tundra. So not just me that was confused...

The Hume's Warbler at Flycatcher Alley, Lowestoft was very mobile this morning, but showed well at times. Quite washed out khaki in colour compared to autumn, but with a brown wash across breast typical of winter birds

eBird Checklist - 17 Jan 2026 - Walberswick NNR--Corporation Marshes - 53 species Submitted by Brian Small.

more photos here - ebird.org/checklist/S2...

Another 3 hours at Walberswick this morning eventually produced some nice looks at at least 4 Zitting Cisticola - thanks to @jakegearty.bsky.social and his hearing #ukbirding #suffolkbirding

Finally, closer photos of the hybrid goose on Southwold town marshes that has been regularly put out as 'Ridgway's Cackling Goose'. Happy to read comments from others. The grass on bill gives an impression of a narrow white forehead

Another morning enjoying birding on my local patch produced my first looks at Dartford Warbler this year - a nice male that popped out the heather and sang, though my attention was drawn away by a pair of Crossbill #ukbirding #suffolkbirding

Finding a confiding first-winter Twite on Reydon Marshes yesterday, just 2 km from home, was pleasing and at an area where large numbers used to winter in Suffolk - I have old video of a flock of over 80. Nowadays, birders twitch them in Suffolk... #ukbirding #suffolkbirding

#ukbirding #suffolkbirding

Three Suffolk Shrikes - I have a signed, limited edition giclee print of a painting of the 3 rare shrikes in Suffolk this autumn (Isabelline, Turkestan and Brown). Just 50 available and only £50 window mounted (add £12 for P&P): PM me if interested and please repost, thanks

Three Zitting Cisticola were active at weekend with 2 birds (males?) chasing each other about. Both pictured here, one with a lost second tertial on right wing #ukbirding #suffolkbirding

I am grateful to Dan at Sunday Times magazine for choosing me to illustrate Mr Clarkson's piece on his farmland birds. We certainly do need to do more to protect them... #ukbirding

At least one Zitting Cisticola still about south of Walberswick - no others seen in a couple of hours. Silent and elusive but now fully moulted at least and plumage looking quite dark and richly hued #ukbirding #suffolkbirding

Hume's Warbler in Southwold churchyard brought up 220 for my patch this year, then almost immediately went to 221 with a Richard's Pipit that flew south calling - a scarce bird nowadays #ukbirding #suffolkbirding

...here are the four: Red-backed at Southwold; Turkestan, Dunwich, Brown, Hollesley and Isabelline, Aldeburgh - pic of the last from Sean Nixon

Boyton and Dunwich. though neither are accepted by BBRC as isabellinus, that's what they were to me and they are accepted as such on eBird

Boom! All the 'red-tailed shrikes' done in Suffolk this year with Isabelline Shrike at N Warren this afternoon. Made sweeter as it is a grip back for me too, having missed the previous birds. No matter what anyone says to me, I can't see such pale birds not being isabellinus

Hi Graham. They spend all of their time in the reedy saltmarsh north of the buckthorn patch. I am unsure where the scrub description came from...

An early walk at Walberswick in the sun before the rain this morning gave another burst of views of the Zitting Cisticolas. If trying for them please do not traipse across the marshes and view from the banks #ukbirding #suffolkbirding

3 Zitting Cisticola showed distantly at Walberswick this morning (poss 4); at least 2 in moult - record shots only

Genius

Why does that photo labelled Brown Shrike look so much like a young Grey-backed?

one more... #ukbirding