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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …