It's been a slow plod nr St Albans but it's 100 up in the #PWC2026 Challenge, with a distant Hobby today. An obliging Little Ringed Plover, a second ever patch Firecrest this week & the only sighting of a #patchgold, formerly common, Collared Dove in April the highlights! @patchbirding.bsky.social

It's been a slow but steady few months on the patch near St Albans. At the weekend, a Wigeon was new for the year. But today, I found a #patchgold Dartford Warbler. Patch tick (29 years!) & Herts rarity. Thanks to @rupertevershed.bsky.social for the warbler pic. #PWC2025 @patchbirding.bsky.social

2+ Spotted Flycatchers on Gorhambury Estate, St Albans. In willows close to the floodwater pool. Patch year tick. #hertsbirds #PWC2025

Join us at 7.30pm, Tues 17 June, St Stephen Parish Centre AL2 3PJ. FREE meeting, all welcome. Guest speaker Dr Julie Battersby will tell us about toads; there'll be updates on the state of the #RiverVer & plenty of time for sewage, planning, nature & more. riverver.co.uk/open-meeting...

A steady fortnight of seasonal migrants plus this Pintail today (a personal patch tick), has brought the patch total to a hundred for the year. Not too shabby for an inland #hertsbirds patch, near St Albans. @bglynn500.bsky.social @patchbirding.bsky.social

Yellow Wagtails aside, times are tough on the patch near St Albans at the moment. Even the Buzzards are turning vegetarian. @patchbirding.bsky.social

This morning's visit to a West Dorset coastal strip revealed it was alive with Willow Warblers, Chiffchaffs and my first Sedge Warblers & Whitethroats of the year. 3 Wheatears lingering but just two Swallows through. Plus two Shelduck halfway up a hill. @bglynn500.bsky.social @bexbirder.bsky.social

Out with the old and in with the new today, on my @hertsbirds.bsky.social patch near St Albans. A small flock of Golden Plover (patch year tick) and a final Fieldfare were good to see, while Yellow Wagtail (another year tick) was very welcome. @patchbirding.bsky.social @bglynn500.bsky.social

First House Martins back to the local colony near St Albans, Herts today. Four appeared at lunchtime. Just for a moment a local Buzzard made me think I was in Cornwall! @rupertevershed.bsky.social @bglynn500.bsky.social @ukhousemartins.bsky.social @hertsbirds.bsky.social

Off patch and birding in West Dorset. Good to catch up with a variety of residents and new arrivals. 25 Cattle Egret (Abbotsbury) Wheatear, 4 Pintail, 2 Sandwich Tern, 4 Gannet and Cirl Bunting all along the coastal strip. Hat tip @bexbirder.bsky.social

There's a great deal of enjoyment to be had from an annual garden list and today #71 turned up in the shape of two lowly but distant Greylag Geese also #81 on the local patch. Buzzard next door too. @patchbirding.bsky.social @rupertevershed.bsky.social @bglynn500.bsky.social