Whilst it's great to have lingering Garganey on patch (2 still this morning, 3 on Friday) some variety wouldn't go amiss...

Male and female Garganey on West Bexington Mere this morning. Also decent arrival of Common Whitethroats and our first Reed Warbler of the year...

👌

Congratulations....great name!

Wheatears on the move this morning with at least 35 across West Bex and Cogden. Also 4 Red Kites, Sand Martin, Red-t Diver and a passage of Gannets and auks just after dawn that fizzled out about an hour later...

Five days later than last spring, two Wheatears were new for the year at Cogden... a Sand Martin through too...

Well, a south coast patch and a lot of legwork is clearly no guarantee of an early Wheatear.... a female Garganey on West Bex Mere was decent compensation however....

Grey Hypocolius...

Last day of a trip to Oman... Great views of my two most wanted amongst a list of some really great birds...

I'm really hoping they stick around 🫰for tomorrow...

The White-fronts were still around at 11.00am, but were likely disturbed by a group of walkers that passed us heading towards the Mere. The party of Brents included this gorgeous juvenile.

Two Russian W-fronted Geese currently on and around West Bex Mere + 6 Brent's.

I belive it was Martin Garner who described them as such....

Brilliant Simon, great stuff.

No grey geese for us sadly, but a couple of Sibe Chiffs showed well at West Bex.

Thanks...quite a surprise when I put the milk bottles out. Nice looking moth.

Just found an Olive-tree Pearl on my front door... seems quite late Paul? @paulupwey.bsky.social

One of two Firecrests at Cogden this morning...

Sibe Chiff at West Bex this morning...

It didn’t look like that when we saw it! 🌚

... sorry, just seen Brett's reply but for future birds, the short pencil line in the supercilium above the eye is almost diagnostic... rarely seen in Yell

Hi Andy, that is a Cirl Bunting...

I hope you think it was time well invested Gav and thank you for sorting that Greenland Repoll out... we completely fluffed it. 👍

Great stuff...

Given its size (50-60cm) and location (top of a fairly mature tree) we're assuming this is a Asian Hornet nest at West Bex. It's been reported and if confirmed is likely to be of significant concern to the local bee keepers...

Looks just like the sketch in my notebook!

A glorious morning with a Short-eared Owl out to sea at dawn the highlight. Other good birds included 5/6 Cirl Buntings, Firecrest and Black Redstart.

One of two Black Redstarts around West Bex village this morning.... our first of the autumn. More importantly, we have water in the Mere at long last with Gulls & wildfowl to search through. Happy days...

That's good, I was worried the 'fags' might have got him... please pass on my regards when you see him next..

I seem to remember we travelled up with Dick Reader... is he still with us?