Bittern at RSPB Ouse Fen today (19th April): it spent at least 5 minutes sat out in the open at Lockspit Mere

Brilliant - thanks Andy: I was only going on the ring colour, I couldn’t get any code characters. A Dutch origin is super fantastic news - it means it’s of wild origin and thus a superb UK self-found mega-tick!!

Superb photos btw!

Andy - I saw the eagle at Fen Drayton the evening before (and the following day as it headed to Ouse Washes). I’m very interested in its origins. I understand Tim Mackrill has asked you for high resolution images of the rings. My initial research suggests it may be a German-ringed wild bird.

A short-clip of said goose. My gut reaction is it's a Greenland WfG, but happy for someone to point out whether that's correct or not.

White-fronted Goose, South Huish Marsh, Devon.

An interesting 2CY White-fronted Goose at South Huish Marsh, Devon, today: likely the same individual that's been in the Slapton Ley/SHM area since November 2025. First reported as a Greenland WfG, it is now being reported as a Russian WfG. The bill is orange but it has a small dark tip.

Adult Ring-billed Gull, Slapton Ley, Devon, 01/04/2026

Adult Ring-billed Gull, Slapton Ley, Devon, 01/04/2026

Adult Ring-billed Gull, Slapton Ley, Devon, 01/04/2026

An adult Ring-billed Gull on Slapton Ley, Devon, this afternoon was a much appreciated UK find. It flew off north and was lost to view at 16:03.

Having looked at lots of Bewick’s photos, I finally found one of a juvenile with two yellow points on its bill (although no yellow across the bridge). So, it appears this bird is an extreme example of variation in Bewick’s

This young swan hanging around with the local Mutes has been causing some headaches. Inset shows it’s Bewick’s-sized but bill pattern (especially lhs) & head/bill structure closer - but not quite right - for Whooper. Could it be a hybrid? #birdhybrids

And this is the same view through the phone camera

This is how it appeared in the thermal

It was almost unthinkable prior to thermals to find a Jack Snipe without flushing it first

Somewhat surprised to find an adult dark-bellied Brent Goose this afternoon at Radford Meadows, Staffs. Apparently a site first. @rarebirder.bsky.social @birdguides.bsky.social

It’s not difficult to come up with a list of likely suspects: just find the nearest shooting estates and who works as gamekeepers on them.

I thought I’d taken a wrong turn and ended up in Wimbledon given the number of Wombles driving in Stafford today.

Our semi-resident female "Ferruginous Duck" on RSPB Berry Fen today. I'm still not 100% convinced it's not a hybrid: the pale U shape on the bill is just a bit too well-marked.

Could be Snow Geese: did you see any black primaries? I saw a couple in October 2024 at Burnham Overy with PfGs that briefly visited Norfolk during an east coast tour

It’s only taken me 43 years to see Eurasian Eagle-owl again: this one in a park in Madrid, Spain

A bit surprised when a Glossy Ibis walked out at cell 10, RSPB Ouse Fen this morning: I’d already been waiting 90 minutes to confirm the identity of 5 Ringed Plovers and a juv Little Stint. Amazing how birds hide away there.

Birds from RSPB Ouse Fen and Fen Drayton Lakes on 18/09/2025

A few bits and pieces from birding around RSPB Ouse Fen and Fen Drayton Lakes yesterday: (clockwise) Whinchat, Whinchat flying, distant pair Cranes, adult Caspian Gull, Glossy Ibis (one of two).

Grab of train cancelled email

Just watched the superb Yes Minister where Hacker accepts the job of Transport Supremo, tasked with developing an Integrated Transport Policy - so no surprises when I awoke to find my train was no longer stopping at the station I’d bought a ticket for!

Flock of Sanderling with a Ringed Plovers, Dunlins and a Little Stint

Just back from a few days at RSPB Snettisham, recording a remarkable 25 species of waders. Love the place!

Mike Carr and Richard Thomas

Wonderful to meet my old mate Mike Carr at RSPB Ouse Fen recently: good job he recognised me as I didn’t recognise him. It must be more than 30 years since we last met and both of us are showing a few miles on the clock @mike-carr.bsky.social

Bird behind LT is a juv Common Tern - gingery on mantle, pale reddish bill base. Ringed bird in flight looks like adult Common Tern - angle and light makes bill look short and redder than others in pic but Arctic wing pattern would be much neater.

It flew over the Wash at RSPB Snettisham a short time later: about 10:00 I seem to recall. Heading west

Same bird? A 2CY Arctic Tern I videoed on 27th July at RSPB Snettisham

White-rumped Sandpiper

Video grabs of White-rumped Sandpiper at RSPB Snettisham this morning. It appears the individual pre-high tide (l) is different to the one post-high tide. @birdguides.bsky.social @rarebirder.bsky.social

Showing again 11:50 off old jetty then flew south with 2 Dublins, landing near Oystercatcher flock

Adult White-rumped Sand showing well on mud in front of benches RSPB Snettisham 10:40 @birdguides.bsky.social @rarebirder.bsky.social

@birdguides.bsky.social