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 …

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 …

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.

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 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 …

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.