Jack Bucknall

Interesting! Maybe worth revisiting in that case, need something to do during these endless westerlies…

This discussion reminds me of this individual in October 2020 on the mounds, which I felt showed a few signs of familiaris at the time, but the guidance at the time was that BBRC would only accept very striking birds that stand out a mile. I didn’t feel mine quite qualified for that!

WOW! A mobile Glossy Ibis at SMI Wetland this evening — first record for the site and only the second record for North Tyneside! Sadly, it was only around a matter of moments before moving south, but has been seen several times since. Well played @lurkymclurkface.bsky.social! #NEBirding

Well, I didn't expect to see one of these today - Pechora Pipit at South Shields this afternoon. A very tough bird to see, and showed mainly in flight, but it did show well on a couple of occasions... a proper mainland mega, and a lifer for me. #UKBirding #NEBirding

Reflecting on an unforgettable trip to Peru, with the final leg of our visit being centred around the mighty Amazon River. Exotic birds, stunning scenery and a new continent well and truly ticked off! 214 lifers all told - not bad for a ‘non-birding trip’… #Peru

Cheers mate, it’s an unreal place! We are heading to the Amazon tomorrow for a few nights before heading home, so a few more mind-blowing days to come I hope!

Machu Picchu!

Andean Cock-of-the-Rock

Torrent Duck

Blue-necked Tanager

A wonder of the world, and bucket list birds… it’s been a mind-blowing 48 hours around Machu Picchu!

Bearded Mountaineer

Black-tailed Trainbearer

White-bellied Hummingbird

Day 8 in Peru, and we are at the stunning Hotel Pakaritampu in Ollantaytambo, and the famous Hummingbird garden didn’t let me down! Two endemics in Bearded Mountaineer and Giant Hummingbird, plus White-bellied Hummingbird and Black-tailed Trainbearer. Machu Picchu next… #Peru

Yesterday, we visited Chonta Canyon to see the mighty Andean Condors, which gave absolutely stunning views from the viewpoint. Incredibly impressive birds up close - more bucket list stuff! #Peru

Inca Tern

Inca Tern

Peruvian Pelican

Belcher’s Gull

Peru trip off to a brilliant start, with two days in Lima exploring the city and checking out the wildlife. The standout highlight was visiting the Inca Tern colony on Lima pier, incredible birds and real bucket list stuff! 25 lifers so far, plenty quality on offer. Cusco next… #Peru #Seabirds

The adventure is underway - the next two weeks will be spent touring Southern Peru! Whilst my wife informs me it’s officially a ‘non-birding holiday’ (whatever one of those is!) I’m sure there’ll be plenty to look at…

A couple of hours from sunrise at St. Mary’s was very productive this morning, with a Marsh Harrier in-off the sea and west at 06:45, closely followed by a female Merlin that darted through the waders and continued south. Two local yearticks in as many minutes - autumn is here! #NEBirding #UKBirding

Top afternoon on the North Tyneside coast, starting with my first Roseate Terns of the year at Tynemouth on the rising tide, followed by a Little Tern feeding between the piers (never an easy species to connect with locally) and ended with the cracking adult Curlew Sand at SMI. #NEBirding #UKBirding

Best of luck mate, I gather it was still there at dusk so fingers crossed!

A county tick, giving mega views, in the middle of Whitley Bay - what's not to like!! Sensational display from the Black-crowned Night Heron in Marden Quarry this evening. #NEBirding #UKBirding

After a number of fruitless searches so far this summer, I was delighted to finally find a singing Quail locally last night! #NEBirding #UKBirding

Some Turkey pics from a few weeks back - the first couple of days were spent in the Aladaglar Mountains with some very special species. Shown here are Radde's Accentor, Red-fronted Serin, White-winged Snowfinch and Horned (Shore) Lark.

A juv Cuckoo near the wetland at SMI this evening, and four Med Gulls off the prom were both very welcome reminders that autumn is now just around the corner... #NEBirding #UKBirding

Ha, I must admit I was relieved I wasn’t on that pelagic the following morning after a session in The Mermaid 😂

That infamous evening on Scilly will live long in the memory!!

Good stuff mate, keep it going!

Random bird of the day… just had an Avocet at Killingworth Lake! Only present for 5 minutes, circled the lake calling constantly, and repeatedly tried to land before flying off high north at 18:05. A site first? #NEBirding #UKBirding

Radde’s Accentor from Demirkazik Tepe, one of our big targets in Turkey. We saw a minimum of seven birds around the viewpoint including recently fledged youngsters, and three singing males, often totally unfazed by our presence!

They don’t return until pretty late on in the season (early-mid May), so it may have been that you were there too early depending when you went?

One of the most memorable new birds of our trip to Turkey was Black-headed Bunting, and this exceptional male singing right beside the road was our first!

Kurdish Wheatear.

Nemrut Dagi.

Our final day in Turkey is sadly at an end, and a fitting way to finish the trip by getting mega views of Kurdish Wheatear at Nemrut Dagi. A totally fantastic week of birding and company, finishing up on 35 lifers! Lots of photos to follow I’m sure…

We touched down in Turkey yesterday, and are very much looking forward to an action packed week of birding. A few lifers in the bag already such as Sombre Tit, Kruper’s Nuthatch, Black-headed Bunting etc, but tomorrow is the big one - operation Caspian Snowcock!

The curtain comes down on a very quiet May! An afternoon on Weetslade hill failed to produce the hoped-for Red Kite, but a Little Egret south over kept a slight bit of interest. Hopefully June produces a rarity or two… #NEBirding

So, that’s a wrap on the Scotland trip for another year! Magical as always, with all the regulars doing their bit, plus a self-found Surf Scoter at Balranald on Monday morning. Until next year…

Our annual Scotland trip is underway, with a night in Strontian followed by four nights on Uist, before finishing up in Aviemore. Loads of quality on offer already, in a stunning setting and glorious sunshine - it’s good to be back!