seebirds

2025 Graphical Summary

2025-03-09T00:00:00+00:00

My annual tallying up, is inspired by BirdTrack graphics & built from my 2025 @Team_eBird data, previously posted on X.

This year Grok helped me update the Jupyter notebook to create the images using the seaborn package rather than default matplotlib, which I think improved it.

As usual, May was the best month with 135 species seen, a new record for me! November held the most abudance, with 800 individual birds being seen.

Most productive sites (number of species seen per minute of birding time) were two 'My Yards' in Fairfield & nearby Audubon & State Park hotspots.

There were two significant cumulative uplifts from trips to Alaska in July, & from two trips to Florida; the first December 2024 through January 2025 & same again in December 2025 through January 2026, with the effect of starting & ending the year there.

I narrowly missed out on my global target of 300 species, which I've only done once in 2010, but 2025 was the best year since then.

I did hit my Fairfield target of 200 coming in at 216. I hope to regularly see 200 in Fairfield & will then need 'just' 100 species outside of Fairfield!

Pine Creek--Ditch Trail, Fairfield CT, 16/Feb/2025

2025-02-16T00:00:00+00:00

Fox Sparrows in wintry conditions at Pine Creek, Fairfield; snow underfoot & worsening icy rain, but worth it for what is my favourite sparrow species. pic.twitter.com/RasqDOJoWO
— Marcus (@aucarius) February 16, 2025

eBird Checklist:

Sunday 16th February, Pine Creek--Ditch Trail, Fairfield CT USA.

Sherwood Island State Park, Fairfield CT, 15/Feb/2025

2025-02-15T00:00:00+00:00

At Sherwood Island State Park, CT, this morning, among others continuing Merlin & my first American (Buff-bellied) Pipit, my 700th life tick! pic.twitter.com/RMN8gK9GJH
— Marcus (@aucarius) February 15, 2025

eBird Checklist:

Saturday 15th February, Sherwood Island State Park, Fairfield CT USA.

Medical Blvd., Sarasota FL, 03/Jan/2025

2025-01-03T00:00:00+00:00

Yesterday’s lifer White-faced Ibis at Medical Blvd, Englewood FL.
Unexpected twitch after breakfast so only had my bins & not ‘proper’ camera; phone record shots taken tho.
2025 off to a great start, & last day of a lovely break. pic.twitter.com/KRit2BeSbT
— Marcus (@aucarius) January 4, 2025

eBird Checklist:

Friday 3rd January, Medical Blvd., Sarasota FL USA.

Pine Creek (Whole), Fairfield CT, 18/Dec/2024

2024-12-18T00:00:00+00:00

Immature Bald Eagle flying north over the marsh.

eBird Checklist:

Wednesday 18th December, Pine Creek (Whole), Fairfield CT USA.

Sherwood Island State Park, Fairfield CT, 19/Oct/2024

2024-10-19T00:00:00+01:00

Eastern Meadowlarks at the model airplane field.

eBird Checklist:

Saturday 19th October, Sherwood Island State Park, Fairfield CT USA.

Corinne Rd, Tufnell Park, London UK, 28/Dec/2023

2023-12-28T00:00:00+00:00

11 Waxwings on Corinne Road, Tufnell Park, London.

eBird Checklist:

Thursday 28th December, Corinne Rd, Tufnell Park, London UK.

Holme Dunes, Norfolk UK, 29/Aug/2023

2023-08-29T00:00:00+01:00

Kittiwakes and Sandwhich Terns on the beach, before the inevitable dog-walkers arrived and cleared them all.

eBird Checklist:

Tuesday 29th August, Holme Dunes NWT NR and NNR, Norfolk UK.

Coursers Road, Herts. and RSPB Snettisham, Norfolk UK, 09 and 29/Oct/2022

2022-10-29T00:00:00+01:00

Little Stint feeding on exposed mud.

Buzzard on fence out on the Wolferton marshes.

eBird Checklists:

Sunday 9th October, Coursers Road--Sand and Gravel Extraction Pits, Hertfordshire UK.

Saturday 29th October, Snettisham RSPB Reserve, Norfolk UK.

Trimingham Quarry, Norfolk UK, 11/Aug/2022

2022-08-11T00:00:00+01:00

Trimingham Bee-eaters were brilliant this morning!

eBird Checklist:

Sunday 1st May, Trimingham Quarry, Norfolk UK.

RSPB Titchwell, Norfolk UK, 01/May/2022

2022-05-01T00:00:00+01:00

Blackcap at RSPB Titchwell, not a shy songster for #dawnchorusday.

Another close singer, Sedge Warbler, at RSPB Titchwell.

eBird Checklist:

Sunday 1st May, Titchwell Marsh RSPB Reserve, Norfolk UK.

Allens Pond, Bristol MA, 28/Aug/2021

2021-08-28T00:00:00+01:00

Caspian Tern at Allens Pond, a rarity for the area.

eBird Checklist:

Saturday 28th August, Allens Pond WS--Beach Loop, Bristol MA USA.

2020

2020-12-31T00:00:00+00:00

The year of pestiliential doom began like any other with garden, commute & patch birding through January. At Regent's Park I added Eurasian Teal at the start (2nd) & Eurasian Blackcap at the end of the month (30th), to my site list.

Redwing, a Southgate garden visitor, January.

Thursday 2nd, Tuesday 21st, Tuesday 28th, Thursday 30th, Regents Park--Boating Lake, London, UK.

In February, between patch visits to Regent's Park & Grovelands Park for winter regulars, I went to Walthamstowe Wetlands in an unsuccessful attempt to see Bearded Tits in London, but I did see Common Goldeneye (below) for the year.

Tuesday 4th, Regent's Park

Wednesday 19th, Walthamstowe Wetlands

Friday 21st, Grovelands Park

The viral miasma thickened in March but during the last office weeks (weird to think of now) in Regents Park I saw Kestrel & was shown the Little Owl in its tree by Adam (gnome birding); also a trip to the US Embassy snagged a Great Black-Backed Gull.

11 Mar 2020 Regent's Park

Then that was that! From 23rd March, the viral hysteria & insane over-reaction, mismanagement & casual authoritarianism began & everyone was obliged to stay at home & things would never be the same again.

By now though, I had been running an eBird checklist streak & being forced to stay home motivated me to keep it going for the duration of the lockdowns, however long it lasted.

From 15th March through to 21st May, I logged checklists at only 4 sites: my garden (71), Grovelands Park (14), Southgate Station (1) & Woodcroft Wildspace (1)!

Hybrid Canada x Greyland, Grovelands Park, March.

The house arrest begun for an initial 3 weeks which, along with fine weather, was good for the garden list. In March I recorded flyover Little Egret, & in April I duly added Rook, Red Kite & Buzzard, just from looking about the garden & the airspace above. Grovelands Park was a decent local space to spend more time in & I benefitted with a Treecreeper, my first for London. At the start of May, an early 6am visit to Grovelands Park yielded a cracking couple of Hobby for site-tick. In the garden, Peregrine was another flyover as I had lunch in the sun on the lounger, & a Barn Swallow flew right through the garden during another lunch-break.

Rook - 07 Apr 2020 Ridgemead--Southgate

Eurasian Treecreeper - 12 Apr 2020 Grovelands Park

Swallow & Peregrine - 14 May 2020 Ridgemead--Southgate

Mandarin chick, Grovelands Park, May.

Initially I stayed local as ordered, but after a few weeks the data showed the real picture & so on 22nd May I went to Lee Valley Park for my usual Spring specialities: Cuckoo & Garden Warbler, but unfortunately no Nightingales.

22 May 2020 Lee Valley Regional Park--Fishers Green NR

Mistle Thrush, Grovelands Park, May.

In June, with the first lockdown easing, I augmented my usual patch visits with Darlands Lake which was lovely with Lesser Whitethroat the pick.

21 Jun 2020 Darlands Lake NR

Eurasian Nuthatch, Darlands Lake NR, June.

For July, it was out of London & up to Norfolk again, visiting 3 times & bumping the year list by 24 species, with Nightjar & Bullfinch at Roydon & Titchwell respectively.

Eurasian Nightjar - 30 Jul 2020 Roydon Common NNR

Eurasian Bullfinch - 30 Jul 2020 B1110--Broom Green

With overseas travel heavily restricted a domestic family holiday to Norfolk was the next best thing!...so, off we went to a Great Yarmouth static caravan, reliving similar trips to Caister during my own childhood. From the caravan I could scope very comfortably offshore & that's what I did most evenings, picking out Arctic Skua & Little Tern.

16 Aug 2020 Haven Seashore--Seaview 24

Visits to Winterton Dunes, Breydon Water & Hickling Broad were new places for me, the best sightings Green Sandpiper & out of season Pink-Footed Goose at the latter.

European Stonechat, Winterton Dunes NNR, August. [(https://ebird.org/checklist/S72565586)]

22 Aug 2020 Hickling Broad NNR--Upper Thurne Broads and Marshes

Pink-Footed Goose, Hickling Broad NNR, August. ]

Another trip to NW Norfolk, with Titchwell on the 30th producing a classic, memorable outing. 57 species in rough conditions where an excellent passage of skuas lessened the sand-blasting effect of the wind on the beach (which later necessitated a strip-down of my scope's eyepiece afterwards!). Arctic Skua & GREAT SKUA, a lifer, were both positively identified with at least 8 more skuas passing offshore. Inland were Little Stint, Curlew Sandpiper, Green Sandpiper & Whimbrel.

30 Aug 2020 Titchwell Marsh RSPB Reserve

Into autumn & an early morning visit to Grovelands Park turned up a fantastic passage Spotted Flycatcher which flew the length of the field before perching atop a tree for long enough for me to walk across & get a few photos! A migrating Meadow Pipit passed through just after as well as the usuals on a nice sunny morning.

Spotted Flycatched, Grovelands Park, September.

06 Sep 2020 Grovelands Park

Later in September, Siskins turned up at Grovelands, & an always good for me Redpoll at Tyttenhanger GPs in October; a couple weeks later I was at Rainham Marshes for the reliable Rock & Water Pipits.

10 Sep 2020 Ridgemead--Southgate

25 Oct 2020 Rainham Marshes RSPB Reserve--Riverside

Common Goldeneye, Rainham Marshes RSPB, October.

Back up to Norfolk at the end of October & one of the most memorable outings for the year at Thornham Harbour. An early arrival & lots of activity including an unusual (escaped) Bar-Headed Goose flyby with Greylags, then a Merlin & Peregrine had a brief duel with the former being forced from the sand where it had taken a Starling. Also good numbers of shorebirds including Grey & Golden Plover for the annual list, all against a backdrop of a beautiful morning dawn turning red in the face of coming rain which eventually forced me homeward.

29 Oct 2020 Thornham Harbour

As winter began I returned to Tyttenhanger for Tree Sparrow, then picked off Caspian Gull (Eagle Pond), Black-Necked Grebe (Mansfield Park viewing KGV Reservoir), Goosander (Forty Hall) & Red-Crested Pochard (Finsbury Park). I then twitched Greater White-Fronted Goose & Cattle Egret at Cornmill Meadows, Lee Valley.

08 Nov 2020 Tyttenhanger Gravel Pits

Eurasian Tree Sparrow, Tyttenhanger Gravel Pits, November.

Red-crested Pochard - 29 Nov 2020 Finsbury Park (The Park only)

Goosander (below) - 27 Nov 2020 Forty Hall Country Park

Black-necked Grebe - 15 Nov 2020 Mansfield Park

Caspian Gull - 15 Nov 2020 Eagle Pond

Greater White-Fronted Goose (below) & Cattle Egret - 06 Dec 2020 Lee Valley Regional Park--Cornmill Meadows

In December, one of the highlights, a Short-Eared Owl (below) in Enfield, Gunpowder Park drew several people including a couple of "toggers" who insisted on getting closer to it despite it sometimes being no more than 30ft away!

20 Dec 2020 Lee Valley Regional Park--Gunpowder Park

I also went out to get more year birds, Barnacle Goose & Corn Bunting (plus more "Shorties"!) at Rainham.

27 Dec 2020) Rainham Marshes RSPB Reserve, SSSI and LNR (includes Stone Barges and riverside walk)

I got Smew at Bowyer's Water before pushing the final tally with another trip to Norfolk where I caught Barn Owl, Eider, Common Scoter, Red-Breasted Merganser, Spotted Redshank, Red-Throated Diver & Brambling (Thornham & Titchwell respectively).

29 Dec 2020 Lee Valley Regional Park--Bowyer's Water

30 Dec 2020 Thornham Harbour

31 Dec 2020 Titchwell Marsh RSPB Reserve

Spotted Redshank, RSPB Titchwell Marshes, December.

Considering the awfulness of the year, the plague & the worse over-reaction, I had a good year. 157 species in all, but better than the "stats" were a couple of "blockbuster" outings, Titchwell & Thornham in particular. It was my joint fifth best year in the UK, only 20 behind my best of 177. I also submitted a list for every day of the year & was intent to keep it going into 2021.

December 2019

2019-12-31T00:00:00+00:00

London patch visits to Regent's Park for plenty of thrushes feeding on berries: Redwing, Mistle Thrush, Blackbird; at Darlands Lake for Tawny Owl, Bullfinch & my first Kingfisher in London!

Tuesday 3rd, Regent's Park--Boating Lake, London, UK.

Sunday 8th, Darlands Lake NR, London, UK.

Wednesday 11th, Regent's Park--Boating Lake, London, UK.

Sunday 15th, Darlands Lake NR, London, UK.

A 'Betwixtmas' break in Norfolk to visit family had me on a twitch for EASTERN YELLOW WAGTAIL, which I found on the second attempt after visiting the wrong dung heap the evening before! After the wagtail I saw lots of winter geese in Sherborne, & the next day I saw even more geese & plenty of other species first-thing at RSPB Snettisham. I ended the year with a Woodcock as I returned from the coast with the family.

Sunday 29th, Stakeout Eastern Yellow Wagtail--Sedgeford, Norfolk, UK.

Sunday 29th, Sherborne Field, Norfolk, UK.

Monday 30th, Snettisham RSPB Reserve, Norfolk, UK.

Tuesday 31st, A149 Queen Elizabeth Way, King's Lynn, Norfolk, UK.

November 2019

2019-11-30T00:00:00+00:00

Mostly patch visit this month, with three to Regent's Park and one to Darland's Lake. Most motable at the former was Red Kite and Greenfinch both on 20th. The visit to Darland's was good for Rook (30) and Goldcrest (8) among others.

Monday 4th, Regent's Park--Boating Lake, London, UK.

Wednesday 6th, Regent's Park--Boating Lake, London, UK.

Saturday 16th, Darlands Lake NR, London, UK.

Wednesday 20th, Regent's Park--Boating Lake, London, UK.

October 2019

2019-10-30T00:00:00+00:00

A few splendid outings this month. The first was a trip to RSPB Rainham Marshes with Rob and Elaine. Rob is an old uni friend who likes to bird and he's even managed to persuade his wife Elaine to join in. Despite the cold and rainy conditions we had a good walk around the circuit and tallied nearly 50 species, of which Wigeon (2), Grey Wagtail, Green Sandpiper (2), Ruff and Water Rail were the highlights.

On the journey home I even managed to get Rob signed up to eBird and posting his first checklist, a very successful day.

Saturday 12th, Rainham Marshes RSPB Reserve, London, UK.

The next trip was to RSPB Titchwell during the half-term break. I resolved to start early and was in the car-park by 6:20am. It was so dark I had to wait a little while before there was enough light to walk the path out. However while I waited, I listened to a couple of Tawny Owl 'kewicking' and hooting in the woodland trees, a site tick.

From the path I then watched many species wake from their roost, noticeably Black-Headed Gull (500+) which noisily left the scrape and headed out to the agricultural fields. There were also good numbers of shorebirds throughout, Golden Plover (215+), Black-Tailed Godwit (200+), Oystercatcher (70+), Avocet (30) and Red Knot (8).

With my time running out before I had to head home, I quickly walked the whole eastern section of the reserve up to the back of the main scrape, for the first time. I left wondering if the RSPB will create a path along the rest of the seawall to the beach, to make a loop possible, since there's probably only about 500m between the furthest part and the beach it seems to make sense if undue disturbance can be avoided.

Sunday 20th, Titchwell Marsh RSPB Reserve, Norfolk, UK.

On returning to London, I was again able to visit RSPB Rainham Marshes for the annual Water & Rock Pipits which usually frequent the river-side rocks.

Saturday 26th, Rainham Marshes RSPB Reserve, London, UK.

By the 26th I had made the decision to go for daily checklists & to see how many consecutive days I could manage.

September 2019

2019-09-30T00:00:00+01:00

As the features I have added to the garden continue to mature - 2 years for the back 'hedgerow' and coming up to a year for the pond - a few visitors not typically recorded were seen this month.

First of all a Sparrowhawk was quietly observing the garden from the big laurel tree! I spotted it from my bedroom, and I like to think that the increase in visiting smaller birds that I have observed, has been enough to interest this hawk. It wasn't the best or longest view - it flew off as I slowly opened the window for a better photo - but I think it was a male. I have seen quite a few sparrowhawks in the neighbourhood, either soaring fairly high up or dashing across the streets and gardens, but this was a first for the garden. As much as I enjoy the house sparrows that visit, and am working attracting more of them, for me a raptor is still one of the most exciting birds to see.

The day after, as I watered the garden during a dry spell, I found an impressively-sized COMMON FROG lurking by the back fence. My interpretation is that the native hedgerow that I planted during the first winter in the house, is providing enough cover and vegetative hospitality for it. I saw one or two in the pond during the summer so the garden seems to provide a place that they can at least spend the summer at.

The next week during breakfast a Green Woodpecker landed in the garden and hopped about the lawn! Although I had heard a call in the early hours, and have seen one on the road outside going after the ants' nests, to see one at home in the garden was a significant surprise and a distinct pleasure! I wonder if it will return, or be a one-off like the jays that occasionally venture in.

The day after, a couple of Collared Dove came to investigate the ground feeding station, but since the cage is too finely meshed for them, they didn't stay for long. I would like these doves to find some suitable nesting or roosting place in the garden, but the laurel doesn't seem to suit them (or any other species but the wood pigeons), so I hope the silver birch grows quickly, or that the cotoneaster and bird cherry I intend to plant will do the trick.

I also finally fixed the pond's water feature onto the brick with some plastic ties, that I typically use for pinning back shrubs. It had a habit of falling off into the water but should now stay in place. I also removed the fine-grained filter-come-spout from the top as it frequently became clogged up, and when it was not clogged it squirted water out of the pond, sometimes drastically lowering its level. Now it's just a half centermetre diameter of spout but it still gets enough solar energy to spurt a few centremetres clear of the surface. Hopefully now it's secured in place its more consistent operaton will keep the water oxygenated and the mosquitoes down. I want to avoid a repeat of this summer where the pond was full of larvae and the garden became a no-go zone after dusk!

August 2019

2019-08-31T00:00:00+01:00

A big month of field trips this month, some specifically for birds, other locations as part of the summer family vacation.

With my family overseas without me, I had some time to use wisely and so I went to Rainham Marshes RSPB Reserve to connect with my first UK Cattle Egret. Also present were Black-Tailed Godwit (20) and a Hobby among others.

A week later, I was in Wiltshire at Enford, Salisbury Plain, for a pre-arranged visit for a life tick target bird that is part of an ongoing reintroduction programme. The rendez-vous was a car park, and at the allocated time, I jumped into a land rover and drove off into the plains. A few minutes after my guide had stopped on a track and we'd stepped out, I was viewing with my 'scope across the rolling fields where I easily found GREAT BUSTARD (16) in 2 groups of males, 5 and 10 in number. They were foraging or strutting around the fields, apparently unconcerned with the windy and rainy conditions. Their size and distinctive plumage made for a very impressive species and one that was awesome to see roaming the hills once again (they were originally extirpated in the 19th Century in the UK). After several minutes observing, my guide and I (another party had pulled out leaving me as only person on the tour) moved onto the hide that overlooks the breeding pens and the fenced reintroduction area, where a single female was discretely foraging. Soon after, my time was up and I was driven back to my car.

The week after, I was off to USA, and up to Vermont as part of a non birding family vacation/holiday. To find our bearings in the area, we visited the nearby Pittsford Recreation Area where a Belted Kingfisher was perched on a sign at the swimming pond. Later that day we drove to Chittenden Reservoir for a look about and I spotted a resplendent summer plumaged Great Northern Diver/Common Loon, a Bald Eagle also flew over.

The next day we took advantage of the sunny weather to go for a swim at Bomoseen SP where common birds were seen, most notable were Eastern Kingbird* (2) and an Osprey**.

That was it for Vermont, a very modest list for the state, but a nice area to visit. One day I hope to return and do more birding in the abundant parks and along the many trails.

Back down in southern Massachusetts the EEE-infected mosquitoes were putting a dampener on birding activities, particularly when I remembered the amount of mozzies at Allens Pond! Therefore I stuck to family beach visits, first to Round Hill Town Beach where I saw a Lesser Yellowlegs on the marsh and a fly past Forster's Tern from the beach. The day after was Horseneck Beach where a Killdeer in the car park was notable.

I then decided that Gooseberry Neck would be fine to visit, lacking mosquitoes, and being close to the water. It was much quieter than last year, a lot less birds and even less people, however I saw plenty of Ruby-Throated Hummingbird (6) and Black Scoter (7). However, the highlight was a life tick SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER at the promontory that had been identified a couple days earlier.

Next up was a family whale-watching trip from Plymouth out to Stellwagen Bank, where alongside Humpback Whale and Fin Whale, I spotted Wilson's Storm-Petrel (15), Cory's Shearwater (2) and Northern Gannet (8).

A final outing to Gooseberry Neck was again quiet where a one-note Eastern Towhee in the car-park and a flyover Killdeer were the thin highlights.

Until next year, New England!

Saturday 3rd, Rainham Marshes RSPB Reserve, London, UK.

Saturday 10th, Salisbury Plain--Great Bustard reintroduction site, Wiltshire, UK.

Monday 19th, Pittsford Recreation Area, Rutland, VT, USA.

Monday 19th, Chittenden Reservoir, Rutland, VT, USA.

Tuesday 20th, Bomoseen State Park, Rutland, VT, USA.

Saturday 24th, Round Hill Town Beach, Bristol, MA, USA.

Sunday 25th, Horseneck Beach, Bristol, MA, USA.

Monday 26th, Gooseberry Neck, Bristol, MA, USA.

Thursday 29th, Stellwagen Bank NMS, Barnstable, MA, USA.

Friday 30th, Gooseberry Neck, Bristol, MA, USA.

July 2019

2019-07-31T00:00:00+01:00

I took a lunchtime walk without binoculars around Regents Park--Boating Lake and was rewarded with singing Reed Warbler, and Swift drinking from the pond on the wing. I also saw a Greylag Goose x Canada Goose hybrid, which is not something I've seen before.

A family beach visit to Hunstanton Cliffs resulted in Northern Fulmar and fly past Mediterranean Gull. On the same weekend I visited Titchwell Marsh RSPB with the family, and amongst the usual abundance of species was a bonus, and always nice to see Little Stint.

Wednesday 3rd, Regents Park--Boating Lake, London, UK.

Friday 12th, Hunstanton Cliffs, Norfolk, UK.

Saturday 13th, Titchwell Marsh RSPB Reserve, Norfolk, UK.

June 2019

2019-06-30T00:00:00+01:00

Just one trip to Tyttenhanger GPs this month and an unremarkable one, although I did see 40 species. The highlight was a Garden Warbler at the south end of the main pit which I hadn't seen for a while at this location.

Sunday 30th, Tyttenhanger GPs, Hertfordshire, UK.

May 2019

2019-05-31T00:00:00+01:00

First outing this 'Magic May' was back to the traditional nightingale haunt at Lee Valley with Isabelle. Unfortunately the satnav took me to a different car-park and from there I didn't know how to get the same spot as last year! However after a longer than usual walk we found our way to the familiar area near Bittern Hide, but we ran out of parking time, and legs, to get to the nightingale place that we were at the year before.

Neverthless we heard two Cuckoo and saw one in a tree as we had lunch by one of the creeks. We also saw plenty of Garden Warbler at 70 Acres Lake near the footbridge, a great place for them.

The second, and last, outing was to RSPB Rainham Marshes for pond-dipping with Isabelle again, and after that a walk around about a third of the reserve. We found greater pond beetle, dragonfly nymphs and lots of back-swimmers during the dipping, and on the mini-beast hunt, mosquitoes found us!

Birds heard and seen at the Woodland Discovery Centre, during the pond-dipping, were Lesser Whitethroat, Song Thrush (I also found a thrush's snail anvil with lots of broken snail shells), Chiffchaff and the first of several Cetti's Warbler (I even saw one later). On the way back from the pond-dipping, we took a detour through the cordite storage area because of a singing Cuckoo, but we, and others there, did not see it.

During lunch we sat on a bench overlooking the marshes and saw plenty of activity, including Redshank with chicks, a couple of Sand Martin and House Martin, Swift, Kestrel and one or two Water Rail grunting and squealing from nearby reeds.

Friday 24th, Lee Valley Regional Park, Hertfordshire, UK.

Thursday 30th, RSPB Rainham Marshes, Essex, UK.

April 2019

2019-04-30T00:00:00+01:00

A family trip for the Easter school holidays took me to Centre Parcs Sherwood Forest where the cabin we stayed in was surrounded by forest (and other cabins). I signed myself and the kids up for a nature ramble around the northern part of the site, which proved an interesting mix of pine woods and heathland habitat. Although with a group I saw plenty of woodland species as well as a singing Willow Warbler. From the hide I heard a lot of bird calls from what sounded like goldfinch but were in fact Lesser Redpoll - alas not as common a call to hear, hence my mistake. A few days later, early in the morning, I went back for another look around on my own and had similar species again, but with an additional Bullfinch and a fantastic group of Brambling, foraging vociferously in the trees next to the heath. I also saw good numbers of Lesser Redpoll (10) at the hide again.

For Easter weekend I was in Norfolk and got a wonderful walk in at Titchwell Marsh RSPB Reserve, potentially one of my best days there. The weather was clear and bright and I was early, 6.20am so not many people were about - heaven. I counted 73 species, included 5 site ticks - Goldcrest, Common Buzzard, Lesser Whitethroat, Red-Legged Partridge - which included a county tick Garden Warbler. Details helpfully highlighted by eBird after I submitted the checklist. I also saw a Grey Partridge at the dunes on the beach: an odd place to see one!

Thursday 11th, Center Parcs Sherwood Wildlife Hide, Nottinghamshire, UK.

Sunday 14th, Center Parcs Sherwood Wildlife Hide, Nottinghamshire, UK.

Sunday 21st, Titchwell Marsh RSPB Reserve, Norfolk, UK.

February 2019

2019-02-28T00:00:00+00:00

After another blank month in January, at last some proper birding! At Mayday Farm in the Brecks, I went looking for displaying Northern Goshawk with Isabelle who was very patient despite being bored. Her restlessness and hunger caused us to return to the car where we had great views of one flying over our heads.

Before that excitement, a Woodlark was heard singing overhead, almost as soon as we got there.

From the blind, we observed Brambling and Lesser Redpoll foraging in the birch trees and/or coming down to the small pond to drink.

My first Common Crossbill in a while were also observed, also on the birch trees. Another few were seen further down the path in the pines at the crossroad.

Thursday 21st, Mayday Farm, Suffolk, UK.

September 2018

2018-09-30T00:00:00+01:00

The first outing this month was to RSPB Rainham Marshes, with my kids, the first time they've both been out with me birding! Their initial excitment of having binoculars and running along the boardwalks soon waned and we had to go for ice cream. Two raptors, Sparrowhawk and Hobby were the avian highlights.

I also visited Regents Park, close to my new job in the hope it could become a patch like Boston Public Gardens was, where I saw typical park and garden species. It's quite a large area to cover, for example, during lunch, but provides plenty of birding opportunities too.

Saturday 8th, Rainham Marshes RSPB Reserve, London, UK.

Friday 14th, Regents Park--Boating Lake, London, UK.

August 2018

2018-08-31T00:00:00+01:00

Back to Massachusetts for family summer vacation/holiday, and as with Florida earlier in the year, I was able to hit some familiar hot spots.

First I was keen to visit Allens Pond for specialty Saltmarsh Sparrow (2) and life tick SEASIDE SPARROW (3), identified as dark, short-tailed birds in the marshes. I did also see one at close quarters in a small marshy area next to the path. Non-breeding Bobolink (5) and Willow Flycatcher (1) were other highlights amongst the typical coastal birds. A Groundhog was also on the path as I walked into the woods. The mosquitoes that assailed me before I doused myself with deet were definitely not a highlight!

At Egypt Lane I was hoping to connect with a rail or two, but did not, however I did see both Black-Crowned (1) and Yellow-Crowned Night-Heron (2). Also Green Heron (2) were unhappy with the prowling Cooper's Hawk.

A week later I was at Gooseberry Neck where I started out on my own, sighting a target life tick ROSEATE TERN (1) at the north end of the island, but I was soon joined by Marshall Iliff and Beverly King who were looking for a kingbird. I had seen what I assumed to be an eastern as I was videoing the large Tree Swallow flocks of >500, but after they caught up to me and explained what they had seen earlier, it was decided to stay in the area, with Marshall walking through some of the nearby bushes to get a view from a small rise. Eventually the WESTERN KINGBIRD took flight over our heads to the north-east of the island, Marshall calling it out to Beverly and I. Unfortunately it wasn't seen again after that and I didn't get any photos as the sight was so brief, but a fantastic life tick.

The day after, I took a nostalgic walk at Leverett Pond where a Spotted Sandpiper was among the usual frequent birds.

Next day a family beach day at Round Hill Town Beach, yielded the usual beach species.

The final day took me back to Gooseberry Neck again, with Marshall there again in the car park vis-migging with a group of a dozen or so. As the migration activity died down I walked around the car park looking for, and finding, life tick LARK SPARROW which had been present for several days but which I had dipped on a few days before. I was able to get several other people on it, giving good views in the open in the car park before it flew off to the grass tussocks on the beach. On the way out I connected with it again and got some great photos that I'll publish soon. White-Winged Scoter (2) and Black Scoter (8) were other highlights.

A fine way to end a productive month in a beautiful part of the world in the summer.

Friday 17th, Allens Pond Wildlife Sanctuary, Bristol County, MA, USA.

Tuesday 21st, Egypt Lane Ponds, Fairhaven, Bristol County, MA, USA.

Tuesday 28th, Gooseberry Neck, Bristol County, MA, USA.

Wednesday 29th, Olmsted Park--Leverett Pond, Suffolk County, MA, USA.

Thursday 30th, Round Hill Town Beach, Bristol County, MA, USA.

Friday 31st, Gooseberry Neck, Bristol County, MA, USA.

July 2018

2018-07-31T00:00:00+01:00

This month, during a short family holiday to Norfolk I visited Hunstanton Cliffs, with the usual Northern Fulmar nesting on the cliffs, accompanied by Common Swift nearby. The cliffs presumably making a traditional nesting site before eaves of houses became more typical.

Sunday 22nd, Hunstanton Cliffs, Norfolk, UK.

June 2018

2018-06-30T00:00:00+01:00

One visit to Tyttenhanger GPs this month with Whitethroat, Yellowhammer and Tree Sparrow all in the hedgrow, being the highlights.

Saturday 9th, Tyttenhanger Gravel Pits, Hertfordshire, UK.

May 2018

2018-05-31T00:00:00+01:00

Only one outing, but for a couple of 'magical' May birds.

During my first spell in London (2005-2011) Lee Valley Park was a good place for nightingales and cuckoos, amongst others. On returning to London in 2016, I took my eldest daughter during half-term to see if they were still there and we were treated to the amazing song of a Nightingale as we ate our lunch. A couple of Kingsfisher were also piping loudly as they zipped up and down one of the creeks and a Cuckoo called from the other side of the lake.

I also recorded returning Swift from the garden on the 25th.

Saturday 5th, Lee Valley Regional Park (70 Acres Lake), Hertfordshire, UK.

April 2018

2018-04-30T00:00:00+01:00

Oh yes, Florida! An Easter visit where I was able to hit all the usual places and take a good walk at one I hadn't visited for a while.

First up was Venice Rookery where I connected with some typical Floridian birds but also 3 flyover Swallow-Tailed Kite. Among the 6 Great Blue Heron I saw was one on the grass at the water's edge and which did not budge when approached. I assume it was sick or injured, and ominously an Alligator, my first at this site, was lurking in the water nearby, I assume eyeing up the potential for a meal come nightfall!

I swung by Bowdoin Road Pond on the way home and saw Black-Bellied Whistling Duck and a Tricoloured Heron.

Next day was the 'good walk' at Celery Fields, a reserve that has really developed since I first visited a few years ago. Immediately I arrived I saw the Purple Martin (22) using the nest boxes, and after hiking to the top of the hill I saw 2 PILEATED WOODPECKER flying past and away towards the big cat park - a life tick! The good times continued with Lesser Scaup (6), Solitary Sandpiper (3) on the reservoir and a pair of fighting Limpkin on the grass banks.

As I worked my way around I looked back to see Cattle Egret (15) on the hillside and a Least Tern over the central pond, along with a few Alligator. Across Fruitville Road, at the Alligator Pond, I saw a life-tick PURPLE GALLINULE foraging at the shore, identified by large size and white side bar. As I neared the car park, and the end of the walk, I saw Loggerhead Shrike (4) and Red-Shouldered Hawk (2).

A couple days later I was at Shamrock Park for Florida Scrub-Jay (2), and a few days after that I was with the family at Siesta Key Public Beach for Nanday Parakeet (2), Brown Pelican (20), Royal Tern (10) and a Black Skimmer among others.

The final birding day of the holiday took me back to Venice Rookery with the kids to see if the alligator was still visible, but it, and the heron were not, however a Sandhill Crane did fly in for a site tick.

After that a family boat trip around Lemon Bay Aquatic Preserve was a treat where we saw Common Dolphin at Grove City and a good selection of sea and shorebirds including Sandwich Tern (2), Forster's Tern (1) and Great White Egret (10) on Rookery Island.

Another awesome trip to Florida, I'm counting down the days until the next one!

Tuesday 3rd, Venice Rookery, Sarasota County, FL, USA.

Tuesday 3rd, Bowdoin Road Pond, Sarasota County, FL, USA.

Wednesday 4th, Celery Fields, Sarasota County, FL, USA.

Friday 6th, Shamrock Park, Sarasota County, FL, USA.

Monday 9th, Siesta Key Public Beach, FL, USA.

Thursday 12th, Venice Rookery, Sarasota County, FL, USA.

Thursday 12th, Lemon Bay Aquatic Preserve, Charlotte County, FL, USA.

January 2018

2018-01-31T00:00:00+00:00

With a house move severly restricting my chances to go birding in December, I only managed to get to Tyttenhanger GPs once to see a scarcity Hawfinch. I connected with 10 of them in the tall trees to the south of the main pit. It was satisfying to see them at a different site to my only previous sighting at Lynford Arboretum in Norfolk in 2008. This bird was a species I was very keen to see in 2008 and connecting with it then was a catalyst to get back into birding after a near 10 year hiatus.

Sunday 14th, Tyttenhanger GPs, Hertfordshire, England, UK.

November 2017

2017-11-30T00:00:00+00:00

After not being able to go birding in October, I got back to Tyttenhanger GPs this month and connected with reported CASPIAN GULL. It took me a while to confirm but my photos were good enough to be confident of the id.

Saturday 25th, Tyttenhanger GPs, Hertfordshire, England, UK.

September 2017

2017-09-30T00:00:00+01:00

Just one visit this month, and to Tyttenhanger GPs to connect with a WHITE-WINGED BLACK TERN. It had been reported as being present on various rarity sites; a life tick for me! It was one of the fishing scrapes aka Willows Lakes, but I included it in a checklist for Tyttenhanger as I covered the whole area. The bird itself was flying nonstop around the lake and was easy to see and get good views of. There were also a couple of Ruff on the main pit.

Saturday 16th, Tyttenhanger GPs, Hertfordshire, England, UK.

August 2017

2017-08-31T00:00:00+01:00

Only a single visit to RSPB Titchwell Marsh this month, but 53 species were observed, not unusual for this reserve. Highlights were good numbers of Black-Tailed Godwit (30), Bar-Tailed Godwit (20), Spotted Redshank (2) and Spoonbill (3).

Saturday 19th, Titchwell Marsh RSPB Reserve, Norfolk, England, UK.

July 2017

2017-07-31T00:00:00+01:00

Another summer visit to Lee Valley Regional Park with less species seen, but still good for Garden Warbler, and I also heard Skylark from one of the distant fields.

Sunday 9th, Lee Valley Park (70 Acres Lake), Hertfordshire, England, UK.

June 2017

2017-06-30T00:00:00+01:00

A late spring, early summer visit to Lee Valley Regional Park turned up Cuckoo, a surprise singing Nightingale (bit late) and an even more surprising female Smew. Not so surprising were the Garden Warbler, which are reliable at this site.

Towards the end of the month I visited another possible patch, Trent Park, a large area of mixed wood and meadow. It's also very popular for events and, as I found, 'illegal' ravers who were having a good time in a small patch of woodland; their music could be heard during almost all of my walk! The best section was at the far north east of the park where the pine woods met agricultural fields, where I saw a family of Goldcrest and a Yellowhammer respectively.

Saturday 10th, Lee Valley Park (70 Acres Lake), Hertfordshire, England, UK.

Sunday 25th, Trent Park, London, England, UK.

May 2017

2017-05-31T00:00:00+01:00

Only a couple of outings for this 'magic' May.

The first of the month I was out to the occasional patch at Tyttenhanger GPs where I saw over 50 species, the most notable being Peregrine Falcon. Also both Ringed and Little Ringed Plover, Dunlin, and plenty of warblers including Garden, Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat and Tree Sparrow.

Towards the end of the month, during a family outing to a horse sanctuary, I saw a Hobby scaring the numerous Barn Swallow.

Monday 1st, Tyttenhanger Gravel Pits, Hertfordshire, UK.

Sunday 28th, Redwings Horse Sanctuary -- Ada Cole, Essex, UK.

March 2017

2017-03-31T00:00:00+01:00

Quite an active month, which started with more Bohemian Waxwing in Southgate, this time 15 flying over; must be a waxwing winter!

Mid-month I went back to Tyttenhanger GPs and this time saw a site speciality Tree Sparrow near the farm; a veritable rarity these days but still hanging around at certain locations.

Later the same week I visited another new location, Sherrardspark Wood Nature Reserve, in an attempt to see Lesser Spotted Woodpecker. I was unsuccessful but enjoyed visiting a lovely old growth forest with some rolling vistas; a couple of Bullfinch made up for the lack of lesser spot.

I went back to Sherrardspark the next week, again dipping on lesser spot and firecrest, but saw some nice woodlad species, including two Sparrowhawk, while enjoying the early spring conditions.

Monday 13th, Tyttenhanger Gravel Pits, Hertfordshire, UK.

Friday 17th, Sherrardspark Wood Nature Reserve, Hertfordshire, UK.

Monday 13th, Sherrardspark Wood Nature Reserve, Hertfordshire, UK.

February 2017

2017-02-28T00:00:00+00:00

After last month's misdirection I got back to Tyttenhanger Gravel Pits and with better weather was able to see the proper site. I saw 43 species with wetland, meadow and farmland species represented. It's an excellent location to be a new patch, despite the drive involved getting there.

The next day I went to Grovelands Park, which looked like another great local patch, but which was spoiled by the many unleashed dogs. In the woodland area, I was confronted by a mastiff and a smaller dog. Fortunately the owner was just behind, but on previous visits I'd seen similar situations and don't fancy increasing my chances of being bitten by going more often. However, I still saw 35 species, including Mandarin Duck, Common Pochard, Stock Dove, Mistle and Song Thrush, and 10 Siskin. With less dogs it would likely be an excellent patch.

Tuesday 14th, Tyttenhanger Gravel Pits, Hertfordshire, UK.

Wednesday 15th, Grovelands Park, London, UK.

January 2017

2017-01-31T00:00:00+00:00

After relocating back to London, my new local neighbourhood of Southgate turned up a very surprising Bohemian Waxwing, trilling from a skinny tree outside the local supermarket. I could scarcely believe my eyes!

Otherwise, there was only one outing, and that was to a new birding site, Tyttenhanger Gravel Pits, but because this was my first visit and it was foggy I couldn't see where to go and ended up walking down the path past the fishing ponds, known as Willows Lakes! It was still a nice walk with Goosander and Kingfisher seen amongst others.

Wednesday 25th, Willows Lakes, Hertfordshire, UK.

December 2016

2016-12-31T00:00:00+00:00

Back in the UK, I visited a couple of familar places as I sought to reconnect with birding in the UK after 5 years in the USA.

On the first of the month, Chosely Drying Barns hosted what appeared to be a good Rough-Legged Buzzard. Myself and two other birders ticked off the field marks:

pale head and chest and dark belly...in flight it showed contrasty underwing with distinctive from dark carpal patches, edge to primaries and belly, plus dark end to tail; small legs/feet also.

However, birders that saw it in the days after questioned whether it was 'just' a pale-phase common buzzard. Examining my photos was inconclusive and I decided to defer to my (and the other birders') in-the-field judgement.

A week or so later I visited King's Lynn Fisher Fleet and Lynn Point, two sites I visited during my earliest days as a birder. There were a hundreds of Black-Headed Gull and Herring Gull, and a Peregrine atop the main grain silo, plus Marsh Harrier at the point.

Thursday 1st, Choseley Drying Barns, Norfolk, UK.

Saturday 10th, King's Lynn Fisher Fleet, Norfolk, UK.

Saturday 10th, King's Lynn Point, Norfolk, UK.

November 2016

2016-11-30T00:00:00+00:00

My last visit to Boston Public Gardens in what will be a while, before I move back to the UK. It featured a late Blue-Eyed Vireo which prompted a query from the regional eBird reviewer which I provided more information for. Also present where a Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker, Hermit Thrush and a Swamp Sparrow, among a few others.

Tuesday 1st, Boston Public Gardens, Suffolk County, MA, USA.

October 2016

2016-10-31T00:00:00+00:00

Out and about for fall migration, I was at Fenway & Victory Gardens where I birded with Paul Peterson for a while. He showed me a Northern Pintail and Green-Winged Teal that he'd found earlier; a Nashville Warbler was also present.

A few days later at Leverett Pond I saw another Belted Kingfisher, the second in 6 months after going years without seeing one at this site. I also saw several Blackpoll Warblers around Leverett and Willow Pond, which I had not seen during spring migration.

Towards the end of the month at Boston Public Gardens I had an exhilarating, site-tick Bald Eagle flyover, which I was able to photograph, also a soaring Cooper's Hawk.

Tuesday 4th, Fenway Victory Gardens, Suffolk County, MA, USA.

Saturday 8th, Olmsted Park--Leverett Pond, Suffolk County, MA, USA.

Saturday 8th, Olmsted Park--Willow Pond, Suffolk County, MA, USA.

Tuesday 25th, Boston Public Garden, Suffolk County, MA, USA.

September 2016

2016-09-30T00:00:00+01:00

A routine visit to Leverett Pond was soon followed by a trip to Belle Isle Marshes where a Eastern Wood-Pewee was the highlight. A day after that, at Boston Public Gardens, a surprise Great Crested Flycatcher was on the island.

Monday 12th, Olmsted Park--Leverett Pond, Suffolk County, MA, USA.

Tuesday 20th, Belle Isle Marsh Reservation, Suffolk County, MA, USA.

Wenesday 21st, Boston Public Garden, Suffolk County, MA, USA.

August 2016

2016-08-31T00:00:00+01:00

Not much going on during the dog days of summer, but an unusual Common Raven at one of the local stores was an unexpected highlight. Also a flyover Red-Throated Hummingbird in the yard.

Wednesday 3rd, Coolidge Corner, Brookline, Suffolk County, MA, USA.

July 2016

2016-07-31T00:00:00+01:00

A hot and quiet month with only two Leverett Pond patch visits.

The first visit caused some mild excitement as I mis-identified a non-breeding/female Green-Winged Teal as a blue-winged teal; the latter being more unusual than the former. A couple local birders visited after my initial report and took much better pictures and picked out more features than I had been able to, good to know for future reference.

The second visit was with a new camera lens, the Canon 100-400mm USM II. Despite its heaviness it was worth carrying around as I managed to get some good photos including a juvenile Black-Crowned Night Heron.

Wednesday 13th & Tuesday 26th, Leverett Pond, Suffolk County, MA, USA.

Reffley Wood, King's Lynn, Norfolk, 19/May/84

1984-05-19T00:00:00+01:00

Weather: Dull, overcast.

Dunnock singing from pines.

Magpie feeding in oak tree closely watched by Collared Dove; Magpie maybe eating dove's eggs?

Long-Tailed Tit in oak.

Blackbird mobbing something in woods; a cat? House Sparrows in hedge.

Song Thrush searching in grass for snails, very early in the year for thrushes to resort to snails.

Robin in pine tree singing its winter song as it's between broods. Wren with loud song from undergrowth.

Pines eaten by [Grey] Squirrels. Nothing growing under pines. Goldcrest singing in Scot's pine. Blue Tit feeding in Douglas fir. Chiff Chaff not so common this year as Sahara Desert has spread over its wintering area.

Yellowhammer singing 'a little bit of bread and no cheese'. Willow Warbler singing its descending song. Garden Warbler singing in dense blackthorn.

Stock Dove flew over and as we looked up we saw a 'Devil Bird' Swift. [Grey] Squirrel's drey half way popular [sic] tree, it's made of the paper like bark of honey-suckle. When we looked at nearest honey-suckle we found a Wren's nest made of bracken.

Grey Squirrel in ash tree with a [Carrion] Crow's nest at the top.

We climbed a large oak tree and found a Nuthatch nest, after descending the tree and waiting a little while we spotted a parent Nuthatch going to the nest.

19 species spotted.