Smew and Great grey Shrike

 Recent local birding from new home included drake Smew at Thorpe landfill site and Great Grey Shrike at Budby where I also saw a couple of Woodlarks

Pomarine Skua and Great Grey Shrike

Yesterday me and Dave went birding in West Lancashire. First off was the juvenile Pomarine Skua at Pilling. Great close views of a great seabird. Also present were a flock of around 100 Twite and an adult Mediterraean Gull. Next up were all 3 species of swans at  near Upper Thurnham. It was really nice to see a small group of Bewick Swans a species that eluded us last year and are only present in small numbers in the North of England. We finished off seeing the long staying Great Grey Shrike at Lytham moss.
At home in the garden I am seeing a Goldcrest daily probably the same bird that came last winter and spotted a single Lesser Redpoll a few days ago. Lets hope he returns with his friends!

Wryneck, Black Redstart and Great Grey Shrike

Excellent birding weekend with Wryneck at Spurn and Black Redstart plus the returning Auks at Flamborough. Today bagged the local Great Grey Shrike at Watergrove reservoir.

Dusky Warbler

Brilliant birding day yesterday at Flamborough Head. Dusky warbler seen poorly at South Landing in the morning but we were rewarded with excellent views later in the afternoon. Also seen at the Old Plantation were a very showy Red breasted Flycatcher and many Goldcrest and Chiffchaff. A Mealy Redpoll was also seen well. The rarities continued with a rather distant Great Grey Shrike near the lighthouse and a male Ring Ouzel. We missed out on a Raddes Warbler in Buckton but still had a fine day in a very special part of England