A long time since my painful dip of Killdeer in Anglesey (1994) so very relieved to see the Ripley Farm individual in Hampshire today. With a Little Gull on the reservoir and White-tailed Eagle in flight all made for a very enjoyable afternoon, despite the wet weather at times. #RareBirdsUK

Continuing the great autumn for shrikes the 1st winter Isabelline Shrike at Woods Mill (W Sussex) did not disappoint this morning. Often quite distant it came closer at one point showing the lovely rusty-red tail. The bird was active in the sunshine chasing insect prey. @sussexwildlife.bsky.social

The Stone Curlew was still present at the far end of Flamingo Pool at Cliffe this afternoon. It was sitting down behind a clump of sedge when I first noticed it. Two Whimbrel were also present #kentbirding

Late morning at Woolbeding Common (W Sussex) yesterday produced a Honey Buzzard (dark morph), a Goshawk, two Red Kite, and six Common Buzzard. A Yellowhammer serenaded us whilst waiting for the birds of prey to appear. #UKBirding

Two male Adders on the local patch in N Kent yesterday. Not too difficult to see which one had already sloughed. What a beauty! #ukreptiles

My first ever visit to Greylake RSPB in Somerset today. Many birds to see though the undoubted highlight was a female Merlin seen close to the Treehouse hide. The falcon had taken a prey item, then fed on the unfortunate bird, which was thought to be either a Snipe or Teal. #ukbirding

A bit late to the party but made the trip to Marazion in Cornwall today hoping to see the Booted Eagle. Very lucky to see it from the layby on the A30 within ten minutes of arrival this afternoon. The local corvids were giving it a lot of grief. #rarebirdsUK

An unexpected sighting during a WeBS count in the Medway today, this juvenile Red Kite. A Merlin was also nice to see. A big wader count today, especially of Dunlin and Knot. Wigeon and Teal also very numerous. Final figures yet to be advised. #ukbirding

A beautiful day in Sussex yesterday to enjoy the Pied Wheatear at Seaford Head. A female, the bird showed well on the ruins, occasionally in the company of a Black Redstart. Nice to meet James Dee and other birders there. #ukbirding

WeBS count carried out around the Medway islands yesterday. Fabulous weather though difficult viewing conditions against the sun. Highlights were high counts of Oystercatcher 3660, Curlew 1470, Black-tailed Godwit 600, and Turnstone 395. #kentbirding

No idea why it's taken me this long but fortunate recently to obtain a copy of this great book by Ian Wallace, essentially about the history of birding in Britain, more so since the 50s. There's so much to read, and enlivened with the author's paintings throughout.