So often heard but not seen, this Grasshopper Warbler proved obliging when it broke cover along Moreton Lane at Chew Valley Lake. Back on patch today, another was heard only in a return to business as usual. This image by fellow Severnside patcher @kidphotographer24.bsky.social #ukbirding
A day of unwise decisions where mistakes were made, pushing myself a bit too hard and spending time with Tree Pipits. Blog post number 94 is up, and thanks for reading. Thanks to Lee Jacobs for his Merganser picture. #ukbirding #birds #BirdsSeenIn2026
That's quality Rob!
A dawn visit to Chew Valley Lake proved successful, as I relocated the Glossy Ibis first found by Karen Wilkinson yesterday. Last year's freak influx notwithstanding, this southern overshoot remains a scarce commodity in Avon. Pic: Karen Wilkinson #avonbirding #ukbirding
A dawn visit to Chew Valley Lake proved successful, as I relocated the Glossy Ibis first found by Karen Wilkinson yesterday. Last year's freak influx notwithstanding, this southern overshoot remains a scarce commodity in Avon. Pic: Karen Wilkinson #avonbirding #ukbirding
Out on a woodland walk through Bleadon Woods this morning looking for Orchids, couldn’t believe our luck when we heard and saw 2 Grasshopper Warblers along the way. Love to hear that ‘reeling’ and another reminder to always expect the unexpected! #bristolbirding #ukbirding
I was unable to match the 16 Ring Ouzel seen by my pal @manchesterbirder.bsky.social in Lancashire this week, but I was mighty pleased to catch up with a single female bird at Sand Point. Here's a picture of the last one I found on the Severnside patch in April 2019. #avonbirding #ukbirding
The Sand Point Red-rumped Swallow was only the 7th seen in the Avon recording area since the first in 1970. All have been brief affairs. This bird stayed for 1 hour and 40 minutes and was seen by just 7 birders. The species remains a blocker in our county. Pic: Mark Savage #avonbirding #ukbirding
The Sand Point Red-rumped Swallow was only the 7th seen in the Avon recording area since the first in 1970. All have been brief affairs. This bird stayed for 1 hour and 40 minutes and was seen by just 7 birders. The species remains a blocker in our county. Pic: Mark Savage #avonbirding #ukbirding
Just 7 birders caught up with it today. Could only be bettered by finding it on patch!
Switched from Severnside to Sand Point this morning and found a Red-rumped Swallow. Fortunately. It lingered long enough for 5 other birders to connect. A full fat Avon county tick! Boc shots by Paul Bowerman #avonbirding #ukbirding
Makes my single Ring Ouzel at Sand Point today seem a tad tame! Nothing quite like patch birding on the good days.
In case you missed it, migration has arrived in Manchester. This is my blog about a morning of migration that left me wanting to get back out there. #ukbirding #birds
After plodding around the patch early morning and eventually connecting with Grasshopper Warbler on a 2nd visit, news broke of Red-rumped Swallow at Sand Point. A foray off patch ensued and in less than hour I was fortunate to see it feeding. Many thanks @andy-1963.bsky.social for the great find.
You were just in time mate. Bird departed a couple of minutes after you left. Glad you made it in time.
Switched from Severnside to Sand Point this morning and found a Red-rumped Swallow. Fortunately. It lingered long enough for 5 other birders to connect. A full fat Avon county tick! Boc shots by Paul Bowerman #avonbirding #ukbirding
That's some count, mate!!
A bonus day on Severnside, courtesy of Gloucestershire's inside-the-distance defeat to Durham! Sunshine, light winds, first patch Greenshank of the year and great views of Reed and Sedge Warblers, Whitethroats & Great Egret, plus big passage of Swallow/Sand Martin #ukbirding
That's amazing, Gary. Such a tough species to see well.
Went to see the American Bittern again last night near Cork. Photo is the best I could come up with as dusk and dawn are really the only times it makes a show.
@birdguides.bsky.social
@rarebirder.bsky.social
#eireroadtrip
I've not booked Shetland yet - bit concerned re: potential cost in these crazy times!!
Ha, I remember. You going to Portland at all this year Dawn?
It's a game if percentages mate. Keep putting yourself out there and you will see more than you miss!
Screen shot of one of the Little Terns.
Two Little Terns feeding in Cake Pill at Aust Warth this morning were the earliest patch record by 2 weeks. Also new for the year were 2 Greenshank and a Sedge Warbler at New Passage/Pilning Wetland.
Hi Karle. Very interested. Thankyou for thinking of me.
You could go through all those red lights, then!!!
Blimey. You're overdue a change of luck on the Boney's front. As for the state of the nation's roads, it simply doesn't get any better. Still, we'll all be staying home soon when fuel prices become too high to justify birding trips 😉
You're slacking, mate!
Those missing tail feathers look familiar - incomplete tail band just like the Cheddar bird, which moved on last week.
Hard to believe that a year has passed by since my memorable encounter with this Hoopoe on Portland! Even harder to believe this Mediterranean overshoot took my UK year list to 232 by the end of March, 2025! Easy to believe I'm keeping it local this year . . . #ukbirding