Tom Wright

Todays highlight @fairislebirdobs.bsky.social was this lovely male Eastern Subalpine Warbler. It spent the afternoon showing intermittently around Schoolton.

Correction - the Shetland pair bred in 2022 not last year.

This lovely Blue-headed Wagtail brightened up a wet, overcast census this morning. After some patience and army crawling I was able to get close enough to read the full ring number. Turns out it is one of the brood from last years breeding success on Shetland! @fairislebirdobs.bsky.social

This lovely female Ring Ouzel made its way into Vaadal on this mornings trap rounds. Always a treat to see up close. The pale-scaled appearance to the underparts is beautiful.

This beautiful smoky 'Blue' Fulmar is one of three birds present around the isle @fairislebirdobs.bsky.social. This individual is a returning bird and defends a ledge near the cliff top at Furse allowing excellent views.

Today’s light southerly breeze and drizzle delivered a small arrival of migrants @fairislebirdobs.bsky.social. A lovely male Ring Ouzel showed unusually well for this typically shy species. However, my highlight was watching a Grasshopper Warbler scurry up and down a small burn on Ward Hill!

Today marked the first notable arrival of migrants @fairislebirdobs.bsky.social. Well into double figures of both Willow Warblers and Wheatears, along with smaller numbers of other migrants.

My first full day @fairislebirdobs.bsky.social. The massive cliffs and big seas made for an awe-inspiring walk around the south end. A few nice birds around too, with four Snow Buntings and lingering adult Iceland Gull the highlights. Looking forward to the rest of the season here!

It always puts a smile on my face seeing my first Wheatear of the year. This lovely male was hopping around the saltmarsh at Ogmore Estuary mid-morning.

Nice set Mark 👍

The 1st-winter Bonaparte's Gull continues its stay at Ogmore Estuary frequently showing exceptionally well.

Not today, will make sure to report it to you as soon as I see it tomorrow 🫡 😜

This beautiful 1st winter Bonaparte's Gull was a lovely surprise along Ogmore Estuary this morning. Far better than Sand Martins or Wheatears I was hoping for!

Incredible views of this Grey Seal along Ogmore Estuary. fascinating to watch it catching fish along the banks in shallow water. Also a bit gruesome when it would skin the fish before starting to eat it!

At least three Adders were making the most of some long awaited spring sunshine on Heol-y-Mynydd this morning. A few clumps of frog spawn and a couple of Small Tortoiseshells added to the spring feel!

Lovely views of 8 Shore Larks at Holkham Gap this morning. They were mostly busy feeding on the saltmarsh but did occasionally do some displaying which was great to watch.

A surprise Waxwing in Kilnsea this afternoon. It showed incredibly well on the roadside just outside the churchyard.

An enjoyable trip up to Scotland this week. Some brilliant birds and equally brilliant scenery. Highlights included; Capercaillie, Ptarmigan, Crested Tit and 2 drake Surf Scoter amongst masses of sea ducks in Burghead Bay.

The Glossy Ibis showed exceptionally well just north of Llanelli WWT this afternoon. It seems to have a fairly severe leg injury but is managing to feed well so fingers crossed it goes on to fully recover.

What a treat to watch this Desert Wheatear bounding around the carpark in Pendine this morning. A very showy bird whilst also being very mobile spending a lot of time on MOD land.

One of three Siberian Chiffchaffs that showed well ~50m from the spring.

A hive of activity at Burrowes Wells, in Merthyr Mawr Dunes this morning. The Yellow-browed Warbler played hard to get when I was there but upwards of 25 Chiffchaff, which included 3 Siberian Chiffs, and a Firecrest made for an enjoyable couple of hours.

Some great winter birding at various sites around Carmarthenshire today. Highlights included, Red-necked Grebe, Water Pipits, Merlin, Hen Harrier, Goshawk and Red-breasted Mergansers. #ukbirding

The Black-throated Diver was playing hard to get in Barry Docks this morning. Very mobile and often out in the middle. #ukbirding

A lovely Long-eared Owl nestled in the willows at Dungeness was the highlight of the day. Plenty of Brambling, a Ring Ouzel, two Short-eared Owls, two Merlins, and five Dartford Warblers made for an enjoyable day. #ukbirding

This stunning adult male Brambling was the highlight of this mornings net rounds. Goldcrests made up the bulk of the 100 birds ringed. #ukbirding

Yellow-browed Warblers

Siberian Chiffchaff

A lovely Yellow-browed Warbler duo caught in the Trapping Area at Dungeness this morning. A couple of Siberian Chiffs and a Bullfinch were the other highlights. #ukbirding

Some light drizzle late afternoon seemed to drop in a few Firecrests at Dungeness with double figures scattered about in gardens and gorse clumps at the Point. Good numbers of Dartford Warblers dotted around too with at least 11 present. #ukbirding

A lovely Yellow-browed Warbler was trapped in the Moat this morning. The second to be caught at Dungeness this year. #ukbirding

Firecrest

Goldcrest

A varied and busy mornings ringing at Dungeness. A nice arrival of crests with 6 Firecrests caught. The bulk consisted of Chiffchaffs which include a smart ‘tristis’. A late Willow Warbler and some winter thrushes made up the remainder. #ukbirding

During summer months it was great to be able to share Dungeness with these lovely Long-eared Owls. Two pairs successfully bred in the observatory recording area and provided some much needed interest during the birding doldrums. #ukbirding