Day 2 of the new year and a trip into Essex. Started with Red Necked Grebe at Ardleigh, then on to Abberton for Bewick’s Swans, Bean Geese, Smew, Red Crested Pochards, Goosander, Kingfisher, Little Stints, Green Sandpiper, GWE. No pics today, it was too cold for camera action.

A solid start to the new year with 58 species recorded in and around the Ipswich area including Mandarin Duck & Ring Necked Parakeet in Christchurch Park. #UKBirding. #SuffolkBirds la

Wishing all my family, friends and followers a very Merry Xmas and a healthy, prosperous and successful New Year.

The pair of Smew were showing really well west of the Layer Breton causeway at Abberton reservoir this morning. #UKBirding #EssexBirds

Lovely morning around Abberton reservoir west end. Smew, Goosander, Goldeneye, Red Crested Pochard, Slavonian Grebe, Little Stint, Ruff, Ringed Plovers were the best bits. #UKBirding #EssexBirds

A Stonechat checking us out as we were checking out the ducks and geese from the screen at RSPB Hollesley Marsh this morning. Also found Cattle Egrets, Water Pipit, Snipe but no sign of the Bean Geese. #UKBirding #SuffolkBirds

Another excellent day at @rspbminsmere.bsky.social . Fieldfares, Redwings, Siskins in the north bushes, Temminck’s Stint, Golden Plovers, Snipe on the scrape, Bitterns, Marsh Harriers, Merlin from Bittern hide and finished with a spectacular Starling murmuration. . #UKBirding #SuffolkBirds

Lovely conditions today around @rspbminsmere.bsky.social for my monthly meet up with Steve and Marie. Temminck’s Stint, Water Pipit, Golden Plover on the scrape and Fieldfares, Redwings, Siskins in the North Bushes were the best. #UKBirding #SuffolkBirds

A trip out to SWTLackfordLakes and a little patience resulted in good views of the Green Winged Teal this morning + a male Crossbill from the visitor centre. #SuffolkBirds #UKBirding

Today we spent the morning enjoying the Crossbills in and around Westleton Heath. Although generally very mobile they are also very accommodating on occasions. Dartfords, Wood Larks, Stonechats also recorded . #SuffolkBirds. #UKBirding

Crossbills coming down to drink at Upper Hollesley Common this morning. 35.10.2025.

The Brown Shrike at Upper Hollesley Common in windy conditions this morning.

Finally made it to Dunwich Heath today where favourable conditions made for good views of the Red-Tailed Shrike. Also enjoyed catching up with several friendly faces. #SuffolkBirds. #UkBirding

A morning walk around Westleton Heath followed by a couple of hours in Island Mere. Great White Egrets, Bitterns, Hobbies, Bearded Tits, Marsh Harriers, Kingfisher all showed well plus a distant Otter. #SuffolkBirds #UKBirding

A very pleasant morning around SWT Lackford Lakes with Steve & Marie. Main highlight was a small flock of Crossbills that came into a tree to the right of Bess’s hide, calling and showing well. #SuffolkBirds. #UKBirding

The female type Ruddy Duck was showing well at Leathes Ham, Lowestoft this morning. I had it all to myself at the time. #SuffolkBirds. #UKBirding

Made a return visit to Landguard Common, Felixstowe this afternoon and finally caught up with the Wryneck feeding in front of the observatory just before the rain arrived. #SuffolkBirds #UKBirding

A successful trip around Landguard Common, Felixstowe this morning. Lots of Willow Warblers, Lesser Whitethroats + Black Redstarts, Wheatears and the overstaying Hoopoe. #SuffolkBirds #UKBirding

The Red Backed Shrike was showing well along the coastal path at Thornham, Norfolk today. 04.09.2025. #UKBirds

Day trip to North Norfolk started with superb views of the Red Backed Shrike at Thornham, no sign of the Dotterel at Ringstead and finished with a good variety of waders at @rspbtitchwellsnett.bsky.social inc distant Pectoral Sandpiper. #UKBirds

Whinchat around the tennis courts at Shingle Street this morning. 01.09.2025. #SuffolkBirds #UKBirding

Wheatear around the tennis court at Shingle Street this morning. 01.09.2025. #SuffolkBirds #UKBirding

Lovely to see this Adder cross our path as we walked along the dunes at @rspbminsmere.bsky.social today.

Another good day around @rspbminsmere.bsky.social with Steve & Marie. 50+ species recorded inc Stone Curlews, Sparrowhawk, Kingfisher, Water Rail, Hobby, GWE and variety of waders, #SuffolkBirds #UKBirding

After a 2 hour search we were finally rewarded with good views of the Barred Warbler north of Kessingland sluice this morning feeding on Elder berries. #SuffolkBirds #UKBirding

A pleasant morning at Hazlewood Marsh produced Osprey, Spoonbills, Wheatear and a good range of waders including Whimbrel, Curlew Sandpipers, Greenshank.

A lovely day around @rspbminsmere.bsky.social with Geoff & Kim. Waders inc Black Tailed Godwits, Avocets, Spotted Redshanks, Greenshank, Snipe, Little Ringed Plovers, Little Stint, Common Sandpiper, Green Sandpiper, Dunlin + Kingfisher, GWE, Brent Goose, Stone Curlew. #SuffolkBirds #UKBirding

Spent some time this morning watching a communal watering hole at Mayday Farm. Blue Tit, Great Tit, Coal Tit, Chiffchaffs, Blackcaps, Siskin,Chaffinch, Robin all visiting. Pair of Sparrowhawks overhead and c12 Crossbills moving around the conifers. #SuffolkBirds #UKBirding

We managed reasonable flight views of the Zitting Cisticola at Walberswick this morning. It was distant but in the air for a long time calling occasionally. #SuffolkBirds #UKBirding.

Pleasant visit to Welney WWT with Steve & Marie. Grey & wet but managed Black Tailed Godwits, Ruff, Green & Wood Sandpipers, Snipe, GWE, Whooper Swans and resident Tree Sparrows. #UKBirding

Another trip down to Abberton Reservoir this morning. Distant Temminck’s Stint, Wood Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper, Great White Egret were the best on offer, #EssexBirds #UKBirding

The 4 Ruddy Shelduck were showing well on the main pool at Aldeburgh Town Marshes this morning. #SuffolkBirds #UKBirding

A visit to Aldeburgh Town Marsh this morning produced a good selection of waders inc Green & Wood Sandpipers, Redshanks, Greenshank, Black Tailed Godwits, Whimbrel, Dunlin, Oystercatchers GWE & 4 Ruddy Shelduck. #SuffolkBirds #UKBirding

The Black Stork was still showing well in the ditch channel between RSPB Boyton & RSPB Hollesley early this morning. Great to see so many familiar faces connecting with the bird today. #SuffolkBirds #UKBirding

Spent some time watching this Hummingbird Hawk Moth on the Buddleia bushes at RSPB Minsmere yesterday 18.07.2025.

A good selection of Butterflies showing well around RSPB Minsmere yesterday.

Pleasant day around RSPB Minsmere with Geoff & Kim yesterday. Lots to enjoy around the scrape inc Common, Green & Wood Sandpipers, Common & Spotted Redshanks, Ruff, LRP, Common, Sandwich & Little Terns, Little Gulls. #SuffolkBirds #UKBirding

A day at the Global Birdfair with Steve & Marie gave us the opportunity to check out the local Ospreys which were putting on a good display today. #UKBirding

The Collared Pratincole was showing well between flights on Aldeburgh Town Marsh this morning. #SuffolkBirds #UKBirding

A successful trip into north Essex produced excellent views of Turtle Doves today. #EssexBirds #UKBirding

Female Ruddy Shelduck showing well on Abberton Reservoir Layer Breton causeway this morning. #UKBirding

Lots of activity alongside Layer Breton causeway at Abberton Reservoir this morning including all 3 different Egret species & Spoonbills nesting together. #UKBirding

Stonechats showing well around Upper Hollesley Common this morning. 13.06.2025. #SuffolkBirds #UKBirding

Another excellent day around @rspbminsmere.bsky.social with Steve & Marie and a chance to catch up with many birding mates. Highlights today were the Roseate Tern on south scrape & the resting Tawny Owl in the south belt. #SuffolkBirds #UKBirding

This morning Dave & I paid our first ever visit to SWT Redgrave & Lopham Fen. Not a lot of birdlife about today although the Spotted Flycatchers were a pleasant surprise. #UKBirding

Good views of the Red Squirrels around the feeding station in Newborough Forest on Anglesey today.

A pair of Stonechats trying to survive the strong winds at RSPB Cors Ddyga on Anglesey this morning. #UKBirding

Common Sandpiper along the river at Capel Curig, North Wales today. #UKBirding

The Wood Warblers have been showing really well in the woodlands around North Wales this week. #UKBirding

A much better day here in North Wales brought out the songsters around RSPB Conwy today. Lots to enjoy on this lovely reserve which is always worth a visit. #UKBirding