Cracking couple of hours this afternoon scanning the Innerleven Scoter flock. Excellent views of the Black Scoter and I ended up with three White-winged Scoter. Numbers of Common and Velvet seem to have dropped off a little, and not sure Surf have been seen for a few days. #birdingFife #rarebirdsUK
A Broad-billed Sandpiper in Gwent at Goldcliff Pools in 2016 - ©Mark Dowie, many thanks. 👍🏻
A Dark-eyed Junco in Cleveland in Hartlepool in 2024 - ©Martyn Sidwell, many thanks. 👍🏻
A Gambel’s White-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys gambelii) in E. Sussex on Seaford Head in 2023 - ©Mark Leitch, many thanks. 👍🏻
APRIL 22nd: 🧾
Good morning! 🖐🏻👋🏻
There were forty (40) accepted records on this day... 😃
#UKrares
#rarebirdsUK
#UKbirding
An after work detour to see this lovely Hoopoe at Gronant, Flintshire (UK) yesterday brought a taste of the Mediterranean to the North Wales coast hot on the heels of my first Spring Wryneck found early on Sunday morning at Burton.
#Birds #RareBirdsUK #Birding
A 1st summer male Iberian Wagtail on the Isles-of-Scilly at Castella Down, St Agnes in 2018 - ©Kris Webb, many thanks. 👍🏻
An Isabelline Wheatear in Norfolk at West Runton in 2023 - ©Richard Greasby, many thanks.👍🏻
A male Northern Harrier in Dorset on Portland Bill in 2014 - ©Peter Moore, many thanks. 👍🏻
APRIL 21st: 🧾
Good morning! 🖐🏻👋🏻
There were thirty-nine (39) accepted records on this day... 😃
#UKrares
#rarebirdsUK
#UKbirding
A quick change of plans this afternoon when news broke of a Woodchat Shrike at Pembrey Burrows. It showed beautifully, perching in the open for prolonged spells. Nice supporting cast of Sedge and Grasshopper Warbler on the walk in. #birdingWales #UKWildlife #birdsSeenIn20206 #rareBirdsUk
Iberian Chiffchaff, Hardwick Hall
A trip to Newton Aycliffe today gave me the opportunity to pop into Hardwick Hall to admire the hyperactive Iberian Chiffchaff #rarebirdsUK #NEbirding
Drake King Eider - ©Scott Martin, many thanks. 👍🏻
APRIL 20th: UK FIRST RECORDS: 🥇
KING EIDER
Somateria spectabilis
Two, a pair, were present near Holm of Hoy, Weisdale Voe, Mainland, Shetland on April 20th 1846.
The male was obtained!
#UKrares
#rarebirdsUK
#UKbirding
An Alpine Accentor in Norfolk at Overstrand in 2004 - ©Graham Etherington, many thanks. 👍🏻
An adult male Black Lark in Norfolk at Winterton Dunes in 2008 - ©Mike Lawrence, many thanks. 👍🏻
A 1st winter female Collared Flycatcher in S. Devon on Orcombe Point in 2016 - ©M Knott, many thanks. 👍🏻
APRIL 20th: 🧾
Good morning! 🖐🏻👋🏻
There were thirty-four (34) accepted records on this day including one UK first... 😃
#UKrares
#rarebirdsUK
#UKbirding
Iberian Chiffchaff, 19/04/2026, Pease Dean, Scottish Borders, found by @moorfoots2peasebay.bsky.social #rarebirdsUK #BirdingScotland #BirdingBorders
Iberian Chiffchaff (Phylloscopus ibericus)
Iberian Chiffchaff (Phylloscopus ibericus)
Iberian Chiffchaff (Phylloscopus ibericus)
Iberian Chiffchaff (Phylloscopus ibericus)
Iberian Chiffchaff (Phylloscopus ibericus) Hardwick Hall CP, Co Durham. 18/04/2026. Bird was constantly singing while we were there. #UKbirding #NEbirding #RarebirdsUK
One of the showiest Lesser Scaups I've seen, this drake was a delight to go and see recently at The Mere (Ellesmere) in Shropshire, UK often associating with the Tufted Duck present #RareBirdsUK #Birdsoftheworld #Birding
male White-winged Scoter and m+f Surf Scoter@ Innerleven #birdingFife #rarebirdsUK
An adult Gull-billed Tern in Cheshire on Burton Mere Wetlands in 2023 - ©Steff Leese, many thanks. 👍🏻
A 1st winter Hermit Thrush on Shetland at Noss NNR in 2017 - ©Rebecca Nason, many thanks. 👍🏻
A female Little Bittern in Cheshire at Woolston Eyes in 2024 - ©Kieran Foster, many thanks. 👍🏻
APRIL 19th: 🧾
Good morning! 🖐🏻👋🏻
There were thirty-five (35) accepted records on this day... 😃
#UKrares
#rarebirdsUK
#UKbirding
20 years since rubbish views of the only Ross's Gull I've seen, it was nice to finally get another one, and a bonus in Norfolk. Eventually showed well! #NorfolkBirding #rarebirdsUK @birdguides.bsky.social @rarebirder.bsky.social
Some nice views and sounds from the Iberian Chiffchaff this morning at Hardwick CP, Co Durham.
#NEBirding #RareBirdsUK #BirdsSeenIn2026
woodchat shrike, a smallish bird with a chestnut cap, small bill and white underparts. It also has black and white wings and a black mask. pic AH
woodchat shrike pic AH
Woodchat Shrike at Pagham rife/Honer early afternoon (found by JDW) #rarebirdsUK
This photograph of the assumed Powys Black-winged Kite was taken at Colne Point, Essex by ©Sean Nixon on July 22nd 2023.
APRIL 18th: UK FIRST RECORDS: 🥇
BLACK-WINGED KITE
Elanus caeruleus caeruleus
An individual was discovered at Glan-mule, Powys on April 18th 2023.
It was subsequently seen in Norfolk (for four days), Suffolk and Essex (for two days each) between July 17th - 22nd.
#UKrares
#rarebirdsUK
#UKbirding
A male Belted Kingfisher on the Isles-of-Scilly at Porth Hellick, St Mary's in 2018 - ©Joe Pender, many thanks. 👍🏻
A Black-winged Kite in Powys at Glan-mule in 2023 - ©Martyn Owen, many thanks. 👍🏻
A 1st winter Franklin's Gull in Carmarthenshire near Loughor in 2014 - ©Alun John, many thanks. 👍🏻
APRIL 18th: 🧾
Good morning! 🖐🏻👋🏻
There were thirty-seven (37) accepted records on this day including one UK first... 😃
#UKrares
#rarebirdsUK
#UKbirding
Five months without a British tick, then two come along in the same day. Iberian Chiffchaff and Marsh Sandpiper both showing very well eventually in (current and former) County Durham today. #RareBirdsUK #NEBirding
Crag Martin on the Isles-of-Scilly over Bryher in 2022 - ©Kris Webb, many thanks. 👍🏻
A 1st summer Laughing Gull on the Isles-of-Scilly at Higher Town, St Martin's in 2018 - ©Kris Webb, many thanks. 👍🏻
A male Two-barred Crossbill in Somerset on Haddon Hill in 2017 - ©James Packer, many thanks. 👍🏻
APRIL 17th: 🧾
Good morning! 🖐🏻👋🏻
There were forty-one (41) accepted records on this day... 😃
#UKrares
#rarebirdsUK
#UKbirding
Spectacled Warbler. No, not Elizabeth Fraser, but the first for Britain that turned up at Filey in late May 1992.
collapsedbirder.blogspot.com?m=0
#UKRares
#rarebirdsUK
#UKbirding
APRIL 16th: UK FIRST RECORDS: 🥇
AMERICAN COOT
Fulica americana americana
A probable 1st summer was found at Stodmarsh, Kent on April 16th 1996 where it lingered for fourteen days and was last seen on April 29th (30th).
#UKrares
#rarebirdsUK
#UKbirding
A 1st summer American Coot in Kent at Stodmarsh in 1996 - ©Alan Tate, many thanks. 👍🏻
Marsh Sandpiper in Hampshire on Normandy Marsh, Lymington in 2024 - ©Gareth Rees, many thanks. 👍🏻
Pallid Swift on the Isles-of-Scilly at Porth Hellick, St Mary's in 2013 - ©Ashley Fisher, many thanks. 👍🏻
APRIL 16th: 🧾
Good morning! 🖐🏻👋🏻
There were thirty-five (35)) accepted records on this day including one UK first... 😃
#UKrares
#rarebirdsUK
#UKbirding
Woodchat still at Hendra this afternoon #cornwallbirding #RareBirdsuk
Black-throated Thrush still at Maysheil in the Lammermuirs, East Lothian, late morning today. Favouring the sheep field to the north, opposite the farm entrance and the trees next to the road. @aberladybirder.bsky.social @annesinc.bsky.social #birdinglothian #birdingscotland #rarebirdsuk
