Paul Baker

Not often you get to hear a Woodpigeon described as 'wonderful'!

The first day of sunshine in what feels like ages, and I was thrilled to see the Short-eared Owl was still around at the bottom of the garden.

5 Yellowhammers, 3 Red Kites, singing Corn Bunting, Song Thrush and Cetti's made for an uplifting afternoon.

#EssexBirding

Rather modest record shots of Red flanked Bluetail near Gressenhall, this morning. A 'lifer' for me. A popular bird, and my thanks to the knowledgeable local birders helping to spot this mobile bird to visitors. #Norfolkbirding

Despite viewing being somewhat obstructed by my new found friend 🕊😂, an impressive 106 Corn Buntings were atop their favoured tree this evening.

A pair of Yellowhammers around the garden included a singing male.

Earlier, 3 Red Kites & 7 Buzzards were airborne together.

#EssexBirding

Some of the 93 Corn Buntings adorning the tree by my garden which borders a setaside field.
Poor quality photo as taken at an angle through double glazing.

There's a partial leucistic Corn Bunt in the centre of the photo too.

Also, Yellowhammer, Reed Bunts, Stonechats and Barn Owl.
#EssexBirding

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Espied 4 White-fronted Geese on Blue House Farm this evening from my house.

No sign of 'my' Short-eared Owl this evening in poor weather but...friend and birder Matt got this cracking photo of it yesterday evening with the Brent in the background - just so evocative 😍

#EssexBirding

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Barn Owl came out again during the brief lull in the rain this evening.

Phonescoped from indoors.
#EssexBirding

The Bittern obeying the RSPB rules and regs at Loch of Spiggie, Shetland...

#BirdingScotland #UKbirding #RareBirdsUK #UKWildlife #Birds

Barn Owl this afternoon at the bottom of the garden from the house.

I haven't seen a Short-eared Owl here for over a week now, although the weather hasn't been great.

#EssexBirding

Well that was unexpected.

A first-winter Little Gull seen from my house this afternoon in the murk, feeding on the River Crouch.

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'Just' a Barn Owl from the house this evening although two male Yellowhammers also flew in at dusk, and are arguably now scarcer than owls here.
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A few of the local guys seem to have perfected the technique.
Scan suitably located sedge/reedbeds at night with thermal imager, locate mouse scurrying up and down reedstems.
Shine torch (doesn't seem to disturb the mice) and hopefully get it in the binoculars or 'scope.

Short-eared Owl again from the house but not as showy today.

40 Linnets, 20 Corn Bunts and 2 Yellowhammers also present.

♂️ Merlin streaked through chasing a Starling.

3 Spoonbills still on Wallasea.

2 HARVEST MICE with thermal imager on the south Essex marshes with NC tonight.
#EssexBirding

I know exactly where that pothole is!

The villagers don't usually allow outsiders but as it's you Steve, we can make an exception 😅

Phonescope pics of the two Short-eared Owls at the bottom of my garden today 😍
#EssexBirding

In addition to the Hen Harrier, the two Short-eared Owls were still around the end of my garden too 🦉
#EssexBirding

A ringtail Hen Harrier was hunting at the bottom of my south Essex garden this afternoon.

In panic, much fumbling with my phone meant I nearly missed getting any footage 🙄

They really are such special birds 😍
#EssexBirding

Short-eared Owl at the bottom of the garden this afternoon.
#EssexBirding

Short-eared Owl from the house today, (south Essex) at the moment it realised there was a second bird present.

Red Kite and two Ravens also seen from the house.
#EssexBirding

Sounds good 👍
I do enjoy birding the Highlands.

You're a long way from home!

Superb adult male Hen Harrier from the house this morning hunting the Crouch seawall by Blue House Farm.
#EssexBirding

A second try for the Black winged Kite, and much better views today at the pumping station near Stubb Mill. Never particularly close but a fantastic looking bird, with very striking eyes when the sun is in the right place. #Norfolkbirding

Ringtail Hen Harrier from the house this evening between 4:30pm and 4:40pm on Blue House Farm, where it probably roosted.

Barn Owl hunting the seawall at the bottom of the garden too. They've been unusually scarce over the last 12 months.
#EssexBirding

A Raven flew over my garden today, being pursued by an angry Carrion Crow. Most likely the same bird that flew across the Crouch yesterday.

Still a notable local record, although they are getting more regular here now in south-east Essex. #EssexBirding

Black-necked Grebe made it onto my South Fambridge house list today when one drifted upriver on the rising tide close in to Blue House Farm.

Shockingly poor video taken through double glazing 😳
#EssexBirding

Excellent day around Essex with NC.

4 Slav Grebe, 3 BnGrebe, 2 GNDiver off Rolls Farm.

4 Smew, 2 RCP, 3 Tundra Beans, Cattle Egret at Abberton.

10 Mandarin at Birch Lake.

2 Marsh Tit, Redpoll, Nuthatch, Treecreeper at Brookes EWT.

Pinkfoot, 50 Whitefronts, Merlin at Bowers Marsh
#EssexBirding

Another 3 hours at Walberswick this morning eventually produced some nice looks at at least 4 Zitting Cisticola - thanks to @jakegearty.bsky.social and his hearing #ukbirding #suffolkbirding

The drake Smew in flight photo is truly superb 👌 👏