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.

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 …

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.

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.

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …