Old Caley

The latest addition to my “leucistic” collection is this Pied Wagtail seen at Farmoor Reservoir yesterday. That’s about 15 on the list now. 😊 #UKbirding

Got on the Oxon Hawfinch bandwagon again today. A full set of male, female & juvenile seen this afternoon at our local hotspot where the birds are attracted to a small pond to drink & bathe. #UKbirding #hawfinch

I’d seen both already this year, on Lesvos in April, but the Zitting Cisticola was a UK life tick for me at Walberswick yesterday. Then on to ridiculous views of the juvenile Black Stork at Boyton. #UKbirding #rarebirdsUK (*Cisticola pic taken on Lesvos)

It was back in March but I’ve written an account of my trip to North Wales featuring Kumlien’s Gull, Black Grouse, Twite and lots more. It’s at www.oldcaley.blogspot.co.uk Thanks for looking. #UKbirding #Walesbirds

Staying on the leucistic theme, saw this young Oystercatcher at Snettisham on Saturday. Attending adults were normally plumaged. #UKbirding #leucism

This leucistic Sand Martin ghosted past me as I walked along the causeway at Farmoor Reservoir this morning. Smart looking bird! #UKbirding

Very, very lucky this morning when a Quail flushed from almost under our feet in North Oxon. Lucky I was ready with the camera, and very lucky when the bird turned and flew around us rather than flying straight off. Very happy! #UKbirding

Terrific views of the large flock of Crossbills at Great Hampden, Bucks recently as the birds made use of a small pool. Several family groups amongst them. #UKbirding

After taking in the superb Dotterel, I made my annual excursion to #rspb Gwenffrwd-Dinas reserve to see the woodland specials. Quiet by usual standards but still had great views of a fantastic singing Wood Warbler. #UKbirding

Nothing much beats a Dotterel in my book, so I took the trip to Cam Cadlan near Merthyr Tydfil where these four were wowing all comers today. Absolutely stunning! I love 'em! #UKbirding #Walesbirds

The Spotted Sandpiper was showing a bit nicely at Grafham Water this lunchtime. Nice bird to get back into the Blighty groove. #UKbirding

Zitting Cisticola

Red-throated Pipit

Crested Lark

My first ever few hours on Lesvos last Sunday (20/04) yielded 3 lifers. Zitting Cisticola was the star with great support from Red-throated Pipit & Crested Lark. #birds #lesvos

Finally saw Brambling & Redpoll this winter with a few mixing in with other finches at Sydlings Copse near Beckley, Oxford yesterday afternoon. Great find by Jacek. #UKbirding

Absolute privilege to watch this female Lesser Spotted Woodpecker at an undisclosed location in the Home Counties this weekend. At least 3 birds seen altogether. #UKbirding

Had to work hard for our target birds at Carsington Water yesterday. Distant views of the female Lesser Scaup and further still of the two young male Greater Scaups. The dependable Willow Tits played hard to get too. #UKbirding

Was 15 mins too late this morning and then had to wait almost 3 hours for the Richard's Pipit at Newport Pagnall to reappear. Glad I stuck it out. Splash of colour provided by a Ring-necked Parakeet. #UKbirding

The Red-necked Grebe at Denham Quarry showed well this morning. The best views I’ve had of one for a few years. #UKbirding #RareBirdsUK

Some of my better efforts of the Least Sandpiper @wwtworldwide.bsky.social Start Marshes, taken on Friday. Very happy to have seen the bird and especially pleased to grab a flight shot. #UKbirding #RareBirdUK

Pleasant stroll around Draycote Water today. Flat calm conditions, dead flat light, nice views of Red-throated Diver, Ferruginous Duck, Goosanders plus others. #UKbirding

#RareBirdsUK

I've now seen a Yellow-browed Warbler in the 1st week of the last 7 years! The ground-hugging little beauty at Frampton-on-Severn was well worth the diversion on way back from seeing the Least Sandpiper. #UKbirding

After dropping a clanger yesterday, I went back to WWT Steart Marshes today and successfully added the Least Sandpiper to my UK life list #436. Very distant at first, it flew in a bit closer with its Little Stint mate. Worth the return trip. #UKbirding

They do look a good fit though. And it's not far between the two sites.

I should have left Greylake yesterday and gone to Steart Marshes when news broke of the mega there. Inexplicably I didn't, a decision that doesn't augur well for the rest of my year. At least (see what I did there) I saw the beautiful female Merlin that I wanted! #UKbirding

Conceivably the same pair of birds that spent a week or so at Grimsbury reservoir at Banbury in November?

Pale-legged Leaf Warbler

Sabine's Gull

Snow Bunting

Ptarmigan

My annual review of my birding memories is at oldcaley.blogspot.com/2025/01/the-... Packed with my best birds of last year and loads of photos!
My thanks to all who have looked at the blog. Your interest is very much appreciated!
I wish you all a Happy New Year!
#UKbirding

A Yellow Warbler isn't just for Christmas, it's for a Lifer! December 27th 2024 Christmas Eve isn't the best time to learn about a rare bird that's been found. But so it was when a birder in Kent announced to the birding...

My blog of a frenetic twitch to see the Yellow Warbler in Kent last Friday is here oldcaley.blogspot.com/2024/12/a-ye... Thanks for looking and Happy New Year! #birdingUK

Thank you.

Really like that photo.

A proper bird for Christmas. This female Blackcap appeared in my garden on Christmas Eve and stayed through Christmas Day & Boxing Day. Didn't see it on Friday because I was in Kent twitching! #birdingUK