Been very quiet for me on the bird front in 2026, but 1st patch lifer fell today in the form of an Iceland Gull!

that was at St Aidans autumn last year

Probable Siberian Chiffchaff found yesterday at Lemonroyd Sewage Works on the Filter Beds with around 8 other Chiffchaff. Not heard to call, but the first bit of local excitement for 2026. 1 Glossy Ibis and Red-crested Pochard lingering into the new year at Swillington Ings for #PWC2026

Finally saw all 3 Glossy Ibis all at the same time today at St Aidans, still no scarce Geese yet. Water Pipit and the very showy Red-crested Pochard best of the rest!

Starling murmuration at @rspbminsmere.bsky.social tonight!

Back on the Suffolk coast today - Starling murmuration stole the show at Minsmere, but Shorelark, Snow Buntings, Temmincks Stint, Water Pipit, Spotted Redshank and Caspian Gulls made for a nice day!

Not the hoped for Glossy Ibis that didn’t hang around St Aidans long enough for me to get there, but this Scaup showed superbly on Bowers Lake in the late afternoon drizzle! 5th record for 2025 @patchbirding.bsky.social

One of 2 Long-eared Owls and one of 5 Yellow-browed Warblers amongst a brilliant day of migration action at Flamborough head today!

Big shock when this juv Gannet came through Swillington Ings this evening - huge patch lifer!!!

On way back from Suffolk, rude not to call into the Baird’s Sandpiper at Rutland Water. Showing well a slight understatement!

Patch lifer Grey Phalarope this morning from Swillington Ings, right place right time for once! Luckily hung around all day for people to connect. 5th site record, 1st in 15 years!

My 2nd patch Curlew Sandpiper dropped in this afternoon after some rain! Nice addition to @patchbirding.bsky.social #PWC2025 after Black Tern present most of today on site!

class find Sean well done

Pied Flycatcher a nice surprise in a random woodland in Yorkshire Dales today!

Stonking Ring Ouzel still hanging around in Haughley, Suffolk this evening!

Stonking views of Blue-winged Teal at Brough this afternoon!

Black-necked Grebes back on patch today!

couple of megas there!

screen grab from video

4 Cranes over Swillington Ings this afternoon! Buzzing with these, my first for patch! Distant screengrab from video below…

Cracking Firecrest on patch today at Methley!

Buzzing to find this drk Scaup on Lemonroyd Lake, Swilly Ings this afternoon! Patch Lifer! Slavonian Grebe back on Western Reedbed too. Caspian Gull in roost. Willow Tit & 3 Cattle Egret at Fairburn Lin Dike.

Unreal up in the NE, White-billed Diver & bonus RNDuck (both my 2nd ever), American Wigeon, Green-winged Teal, 2 Iceland Gull, Velvet Scoter, BN Dolphins, Purple Sandpipers, Hen Harrier and Smew to name a few! Nice to see some familiar faces about too!

Quality day around St Aidans today before the weather arrives tomorrow

Around 6 Hawfinch still at Fountain’s Abbey, Ripon this afternoon, but these stags were much more obliging!

Slavonian Grebe in the last minutes of light at Swilly this evening, patch tick!

Great Northern Diver from Pugney’s Country Park today - unreal views!