Stanford Reservoir - found these 3 Black-necked Grebes this evening which were new for the year. Not annual on the patch with records in 2024, 2023, 2022 & 2013. 2 Marsh Harriers, Goosander, Yellow Wag. Some scribing early doors for SRG who ringed 211 new birds. #vc55birds

Had my eye on the 1s Caspian Tern in Leics. I've seen 3 adults so far & this looked like a cracker. Pleased it paid Notts a visit!
Absolutely entranced by the way it preens those wing tips!
Stunning in flight too, before heading north.
#UKBirding
#Beast

First-summer Caspian Tern standing on a gravel spit with water behind.

I couldn't get to Eyebrook yesterday, so was very glad that the Caspian Tern decided to stay till this morning, even though it was mobile and never stayed in one place for long. Not an Eyebrook tick (I saw the last one there in 1991), but the first first-summer I've seen. #VC55Birds #UKBirding

Cracking image, Andy👍

It was still present this am apparently but may have departed based on a couple of reports I have seen.

Very surprised that it was still there this morning.

Eyebrook Res, Leics - Caspian Tern found by Rod Baker yesterday. 10th record for L&R & the first since 2020. My third in the county but first on the deck and unusual for it to stick & still present this AM. What a cracker.

SCOPS OWL caught in the Gully Heligoland trap at around 21:00hrs last night!

This is the Isle's third record, the last being 19 years ago in 2006. Keep up to date with all recent sightings here: www.fairislebirdobs.co.uk/latest_sight...
📸A Penn

Stanford Reservoir - at last, terns on the patch yesterday. 2 Black, 4 Common & a min of 44 Arctics. My best ever views of Arctics on the patch - always an incredible experience when they pass through any inland site. #vc55birds @lrosbirds.bsky.social

Stanford Reservoir - surprisingly quiet y’day & this AM with only a single Common Tern, 2 Lesser Whitethroat and 3 Goldeneye of note. Quick revisit at lunch today produced the 5th Redshank of the week. #vc55birds

And a Greenshank through in the evening - the first of 2025

Stanford Reservoir - out on the patch early yesterday with the weather looking interesting - delivered the first Black-tailed Godwits (2) & Redshank (4) of the year before they all moved on very quickly just after 7am. Also, 3 Common Sandpiper & 3 Oystercatcher. #vc55birds #northantsbirds

Stanford Reservoir - spring activity on the patch. Red Kite nest building & several Yellow Wag around. First Sedge & Willow Warbler numbers increasing.
SRG ringed first Redstart earlier.

Announcement:

Bradgate Park Raptor Viewpoint becomes the first official raptor viewpoint in Leicestershire & Rutland. Located near the War Memorial, the new viewpoint offers a chance of seeing a special new addition to the breeding avifauna of Leicestershire & Rutland, the Eurasian Goshawk!

Stanford Reservoir - with only 1 record in 2024 Little Gull remains hit and miss on the patch. Pleased to find a first-winter this AM followed by 33 more (32 adults). Also, a few BH Gulls mixed in. Quite a spectacle. #vc55birds #northantsbirds

Full details of the colour-ringed Caspian Tern from my recent trip to The Gambia. Thanks to the Swedish Museum of Natural History for the info.

Stanford Reservoir - not much to post about from the patch recently but first Sand Martins during the week, White Wagtail yesterday and a smart Dunlin this AM livened things up a little. #vc55birds

Grey-headed Bush-shrike (seen in 1 location) and the stunning White Helmet Shrike (seen in 2 locations) - The Gambia, February 2025.

Caspian Tern flight
Shots with the Sony bridge camera -
The Gambia March 4th 2025.

Temminck’s and Bronze-winged Coursers were a fantastic ‘courser’ double in The Gambia (the latter at the third attempt) but impossible to get any decent images. Temminck’s also hard work in the heat of the savannah but great views of at least 6 birds.

Long-tailed Nightjar - The Gambia February 20th 2025. 1 of 2 birds found.

Northern White-faced Owl, The Gambia February 19th 2025

March 1st - Cracking piece of wetland behind the lodge where I am staying near Sanyang, The Gambia. Goliath, Purple, Black, c12 Squacco &
Black-headed Heron, Osprey, M Harrier, Sacred Ibis, Black Crake, c40 African Jacana,
BW Stilt, Shikra, Harrier Hawk. Back later for seconds!

Red-throated Bee-eater - The Gambia, 24th Feb 2025

Thanks - was just looking but couldn’t find the scheme. Maybe you could DM me if you find the scheme

2 beasts in Gambia yesterday - Goliath Heron and lots of Caspian Terns including this colour ringed individual, red RC13.
Near to Kartong.

The Ring-billed Gull at Fitzgerald's Park showed well again yesterday. Seems to like waiting for scraps from people having a bite to eat there.

2 weeks in The Gambia, Steve

Stanford Reservoir - early WeBS due to not being around next Sunday & then away for 2 weeks. Jack Snipe, 2 Great Egret, 34 Cormo, 36 Pochard, 209 Wigeon, 85 Gadwall, 19 Goldeneye, 91 Tufted. #vc55birds #northantsbirds

Stanford Reservoir - decent 2 hours on the patch with Woodcock (new for year), Jack Snipe (3rd time this week), 2 Snipe, 2 Great Egret, Egyptian Goose, Cetti’s, Little Egret, 14 Goldeneye.
#northantsbirds #vc55birds