Parkgate

Male and female Hen Harrier, Merlin, Kestrel, Marsh Harrier, Barn Owl and Great White Egret enjoyed on the marsh

East Anglia Trip

A full on weekend birding based in Suffolk produced some excellent results. Wicken Fen and Fowlmere in Cambridgeshire were new sites to add to our growing database. So many highlights including White Stork, flying Bitterns, hunting Hobbies and stunning Turtle Doves at Fowlmere and Titchwell

Ferruginous Duck and Glaucous Gull

Spent a few hours birding this afternoon. Had a look at the Ferruginous Duck at Pugney CP and then went to Anglers CP were the small gull roost produced a very nice juvenile Glaucous Gull. Also seen were a Barn Owl , lots of noisy Tree Sparrows, and some Whooper Swans

Hume's Leaf Warbler

Excellent Sunday birding trip to north east as usual. First off Long Eared Owl at Fairburn Ings. Also seen were a Green Woodpecker and a Willow Tit Then onto Whitley Bay for a very obliging Hume's Leaf Warbler. Like a slightly washed out Yellow browed warbler with a distinctive double syllable call. Also pleasant surprise of 2 Waxwings here too. We finished off with a Tundra Bean Goose at Boldon Flats and various ducks including a female Scaup at Tophill Low but sadly no Grey Phalarope. Final sighting was a hunting Barn Owl at dusk

Suffolk, Norfolk and Lincolnshire

Summer birding weekend went well in great weather. Plenty of Cuckoo at Lakenheath plus Cetti's Warbler, hunting Barn Owl and a lone Hobby sat in a tree.Sadly no Golden Oriole have arrived this year.  In the evening went to Thetford Forest for my best ever view of a Nightjar.
The following morning it was an early start at Weeting Heath for superb views of at least 6 Stone Curlew one showing in flight and giving its distinctive call. From there we went to Norfolk where we saw Marsh Harrier but no Montagu's Harrier at a favoured spot. On to Cley where there were Red Crested Pochard, Spoonbill and Avocet. We finished up at Frampton where we were rewarded with 3 Turtle Dove. Other highlights of the weekend were Marsh Tit, Red Kite, Lesser Whitethroat, Grey Partridge and Red Legged Partridge

Little Bunting

Good day yesterday in the northeast. We were straight onto the Little Bunting at Houghton le Spring County Durham with excellent close views. Then onto Saltholme RSPB where we saw little as it was incredibly windy although a first Swallow of the year was nice. Then onto Flamborough Head for some sea watching and the hope of a spring migrant in the Old Plantation. Sadly nothing amazing but we did bag a female Black Redstart by the lighthouse. Also seen during the day were several Goldcrests, a Chiffchaff, several Redwing and a Barn Owl plus a selection of Auks on the sea