All photos copyright of the author unless stated otherwise
Cuckoo Cuculus canorus
Rainham Marshes RSPB, London, June 2026.
Lots of sightings this Spring.
Osprey Pandion haliaetus
Welbeck RWP, Notts., May 2026.
Nice views of a bird that moved off to the south.
Hobby Falco subbuteo
Rainham Marshes RSPB, London, May 2026.
Several showed well over the reserve in early May.
Red-legged Partridge Alectoris rufa
nr Upper Midhope, South Yorkshire, April 2026.
One showing in a similar pose as to the inset of a Chukar (A. chukar) seen in Cyprus a few weeks earlier, allowing for a nice comparison.
Osprey Pandion haliaetus
nr Upper Midhope, South Yorkshire, April 2026.
A migrant Osprey slowly headed north.
Goshawk Accipiter gentilis
England, Winter/Spring 2026.
Always nice to see.
Caspian Gull Larus cachinnans
Wanstead, London, February 2026.
Nice views of this 1st winter alongside similar plumaged Herring and Common Gulls at Jubilee Pond.
White-tailed Eagle Haliaeetus albicilla
Lower Derwent Valley, Yorkshire, Norfolk, December 2025.
Chance of it being from the continent, especially given the arrival time/conditions.
Common Crane Grus grus
St Benet's Abbey, Norfolk, December 2025.
Several of about a dozen in the area.
Caspian Gull Larus cachinnans
Thamesmead, London, December 2025.
A smart adult Caspian Gull showed well on the incoming tide.
Scaup, Great Northern Diver and Black-necked Grebe Aythya marila, Gavia immer and Podiceps nigricollis
Staines Reservoirs, London, November 2025.
A good supporting cast to the distant (returning?) drake Lesser Scaup.
Caspian Gull Larus cachinnans
Snaresbrook, London, November 2025.
The presumed returning adult back after a 2 winter absence.
Pink-footed Goose Anser brachyrhynchus
Peak District, October 2025.
Many moving west on the 19th October.
Yellow-legged Gull Gull Larus michahellis
Thamesmead and Rainham Marshes RSPB, London, September 2025.
1st winter and 2nd winter at Thamesmead and an adult winter at Rainham Marshes RSPB.
Caspian Gull Larus cachinnans
Thamesmead, London, September 2025.
A smart Caspian Gull moulting into 2nd winter plumage.
Greenshank Tringa nebularia
Old Moor RSPB, Barnsley, South Yorkshire, September 2025.
One of many on the excellent Wath Ings.
Yellow-legged Gull Larus michahellis
Sheffield, South Yorkshire, September 2025.
A 1st winter bird present alongside other gulls.
Caspian Gull(s) Larus cachinnans
Sheffield, South Yorkshire, September 2025.
Ringed birds from Poland, P:A2N ringed in a Caspian Gull colony, and P:OSR ringed in a Herring Gull group colony. P:A2N classic 'Casp', is P:OSR? See the blog for more details.
Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia
Old Moor RSPB, Barnsley, South Yorkshire, August 2025.
A group of 3 (adult and 2 juvs.) that moved about the Dearne Valley at the end of August/early September.
Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus
Erith, London, August 2025.
A juvenile moulting into 1st winter plumage (EJSC - from Leidschendam, Netherlands).
Mediterranean Gull Larus melanocephalus
Erith, London, August 2025.
A juvenile moulting into 1st winter plumage present on one visit at low tide and an adult nearly into winter plumage present on another visit at high tide (PLET - ringed as an adult in south-west Poland in May 2025).
Ospreys and Honey Buzzard Pandion haliaetus and Pernis apivorus
South Yorkshire & Nottinghamshire, May 2025.
Osprey - top photo - a bird that flew over the Upper Midhope area, South Yorkshire and left south east late afternoon (18 May 2025)
Osprey - middle photo - one flying east in the morning at Welbeck RWP, Notts (19 May 2025)
Honey Buzzard - bottom photo - one mid-afternoon over Welbeck RWP, Notts. (19 May 2025)
Hudsonian Godwit Limosa haemastica
Titchfield Haven NNR, Hampshire, May 2025.
After dipping the Dee Estuary bird (2024) a much welcome GB tick. The Nearctic visitor showed very well.
Hobby Falco subbuteo
Rainham Marshes RSPB, London, April 2025.
These summer visitors took advantage of the good weather feeding over the reserve.
Common Crane Grus grus
Low Moor / Midhope Reservoir, South Yorkshire, Monday 05 May 2025.
Two flew high east and seen later flying over the Dearne Valley. My second record here, two flew along a similar line in April 2019.
Little Stint Calidris minuta
Rainham Marshes RSPB, London, April 2025.
Present in Aveley Bay then roosted here at high tide.
Peregrine Falco peregrinus
England, Spring 2025.
Examples of two different birds from two different locations.
Caspian Gull Larus cachinnans
Old Moor RSPB, Barnsley, South Yorkshire, April 2025.
A 1stw/s individual showed well but brief at Easter.
Lesser Scaup Aythya affinis
Hornsea Mere, East Yorkshire, April 2025.
A passage drake (from North America) with the Tufted Duck flock.
Raven Corvus corax
Thamesmead, London, February 2025.
Closest wild one I've seen to the city of London, it was having an argument with a Buzzard.
