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 …

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.

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.

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 …

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 …

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.

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 …