Caspian Gull

A nice adult Caspian Gull today near Meltham

Martin Mere and Marshside

Nice Saturday birding trip to West Lancashire. Good selection of wildfowl and waders. The highlight were Corn Bunting off Curlew lane near Martin Mere

Shetland

Our first trip to Shetland was a mixed bag. Great first day but then hampered by severe wind and rain. We saw Long tailed Skua on way up at Goswick golf club. First day was rewarded with Rustic Bunting, Pallas's Grasshopper Warbler and Short Toed Lark, all lifers for me. We also saw Red throated Pipit, American buff bellied Pipit, Parrot Crossbill, Little Bunting, Red Flanked Bluetail, Red Breasted Flycatcher, Yellow Browed Warbler, Spotted Flycatcher, Purple Sandpiper, Twite, Red backed Shrike, Great Grey Shrike as well as many other common birds

Wilson's Phalarope

That was a nice surprise to get an American vagrant close to home. Not completely unexpected due to persistent Westerly winds. A stunning juvenile Wilson's Phalarope  at Alston Wetlands Lancashire

Croatia

Some nice birds seen whilst on holiday in Croatia. Loads of Alpine swift and probable Pallid swift. Red backed shrike were everywhere including seen from hotel balcony where I watched a male feeding a juvenile!. A walk up the hill into the countryside provided Spannish Sparrow, Eastern Olivaceous warbler, Sombre Tit, Black eared wheatear, Cirl Bunting, Golden Oriole and Blue rock thrush