Crimson Clover and Scorpion Weed at Nailsea Moor this afternoon. #wildflowerhour

1 of 3 Ringed Plovers at the Dam, Chew Valley Lake this morning

This Common Sandpiper was a delightful and surprise close encounter recently. near Severn Beach, South Gloucestershire, 25.04.26. #avonbirds #ukwildlife

Another day on the Severnside patch, another good bird! Fortuitously, Avon's first Spoonbill of 2026 flew past me as I mooched around Chittening Warth early this morning. I then enjoyed 6 Arctic Skuas over the high tide with @j-dunning.net, Adam and Emily. Stock pic. #avonbirding #ukbirding

Thrilled to see and hear my lifer Wood Warbler in my local patch this morning on Yate Common. Stunning little bird, and quite the effective caterpillar predator! #SouthGlosBirds #UKBirding

I am no expert, but this looks like asbestos to me. Dumped amidst one of two piles of building rubble which have been deposited on North Drove, Nailsea Moor. If I am right, it is a serious risk to public health. The drove is used every day by many walkers and cyclists.

Following on from this morning's migrant flock of Bar-tailed Godwits at Severn Beach, I hoped for some more on the evening high tide. Within 5 minutes of stepping onto the sea wall at least 100 flew over and headed inland and North East. At dusk another group of 18 were seen on the shoreline.

spied these three tiny little Moorhen chicks this afternoon in a ditch around an industrial estate. #AvonBirds - near Portishead, 19 April 2026.

Well the wind eased a little, the rain stopped, the sun came out… and soon after a lovely Holly Blue butterfly appeared in the garden. She was good enough to sit still for a short while and let me take photos. (Bristol, 15.04.26) #ukbutterlies #ukwildlife

Out on a woodland walk through Bleadon Woods this morning looking for Orchids, couldn’t believe our luck when we heard and saw 2 Grasshopper Warblers along the way. Love to hear that ‘reeling’ and another reminder to always expect the unexpected! #bristolbirding #ukbirding

#BirdOfTheDay theme is #FeederFriends, birds you might see at your feeder. Blue Tits are common garden visitors, looking pristine early in the year. The young are a delight, but tending them can leave the adults looking worse for wear as the year progresses! #ukwildlife #birds @alan678.bsky.social

Lovely wander around Aust Cliffs and STW this morning. Quite a few migrants around - Grasshopper Warbler, 4 Whitethroat, Yellow Wagtail, 9 Wheatear*, 7 Whimbrel, Siskin, 3 Dunlin, 10 Swallow plus usual Blackcaps*, Chiffchaffs* @bristolbirding.bsky.social @severnsidebirds.bsky.social

Mange to capture a glimpse of a Lesser Whitethroat while walking the dogs in the fields in Whitchurch. Shame I only had my phone to hand. #avonbirds

Most of the time I see nothing at the Tate, but occasionally we get a good day, and today was one. The lunchtime showers knocked down a few migrants. I initially thought I had a pr of Black Redstart but then realised the female wasn’t a Black…#londonbirds

Ring-necked Duck still at Blagdon Lake @birdguides.bsky.social

The Sand Point Red-rumped Swallow was only the 7th seen in the Avon recording area since the first in 1970. All have been brief affairs. This bird stayed for 1 hour and 40 minutes and was seen by just 7 birders. The species remains a blocker in our county. Pic: Mark Savage #avonbirding #ukbirding

The #BirdOfTheDay theme today is #LeafandLight any bird captured in sunlight with leaves in frame - set by Alan. This adult Starling and a young one were photographed in my Bristol (UK) back garden in May 2025. #avonbirds #ukwildlife #birds @alan678.bsky.social

After plodding around the patch early morning and eventually connecting with Grasshopper Warbler on a 2nd visit, news broke of Red-rumped Swallow at Sand Point. A foray off patch ensued and in less than hour I was fortunate to see it feeding. Many thanks @andy-1963.bsky.social for the great find.

Switched from Severnside to Sand Point this morning and found a Red-rumped Swallow. Fortunately. It lingered long enough for 5 other birders to connect. A full fat Avon county tick! Boc shots by Paul Bowerman #avonbirding #ukbirding

11 mile #Patchbirding dawn walk around the full circuit today. And it was a great way to start with a singing Nightingale along the River Stour by Singleton Lake. 10 Swallows and 5 singing Whitethroats across the patch too.

Panzer's Nomad Bee (f) Nomada panzeri seen entering the nest burrow of a Tawny Mining Bee (f) Andrena fulva at Berry Head. Panzer's Nomad are cleptoparasites of Tawny Mining Bees (pic 4). Their grub will feed on the egg/grub and food store of the Tawny host. Thanks John Walters for the ID.

Green Tiger Beetle, today on the Mendip Hills

A beautiful sunny morning walking from Woodspring Priory to Sand Point accompanied by lovely scenery’s & a concert of bird song 🎶 🎵. 33 species seen, highlights Whimbrel, Wheatear, Willow Warblers, Blackcaps, Whitethroats, Lesser Whitethroat and a Ring Ouzel. #bristolbirding #ukbirding

The Greenshank was still showing well this morning close to the public footpath at Pilning Wetland. Other birds of note today included the first Lesser Whitethroat of the year at the Wetland & the first Common Tern of the year off windy Severn Beach where 16 Kittiwakes lingered over the high tide.

Sand Point/Middle Hope w/ BOC & @reuben-veal.bsky.social: 8 Sandwich Tern, 2 GBB Gull, 1 skua sp., 1 Arctic Skua, 1 Shag, 1 Merlin, 156 Swallow, 24 House Martin, 4 Willow Warbler, 2 Grasshopper Warbler, 10 Blackcap, 2+ Ring Ouzel, 1 Redstart, 1 Wheatear & 60 Goldfinch. @bristolbirding.bsky.social

Male blackbird & ring ouzel (momentarily not fighting) at Middle Hope earlier this morning @bristolbirding.bsky.social

Sand Point / St Thomas’s Head combined totals with @hull24matt.bsky.social. 2 Ring Ouzel, Redstart, 2 Gropper, 4 Willow, 15 Whitethroat, 2 Arctic Skua, 7 Sandwich Tern, Merlin, many Chiff/Blackcap; 20 House Martin, 60 Swallow, 60 Goldfinch West #ukbirding

Bristol in the sun, before hailstones came down

A lovely morning at Portbury Wharf but bitterly cold wind. Snipe still at South Pools, along with lapwing and oystercatcher. Caught a glimpse of my first whitethroat of the year and we could hear a reed bunting but couldn’t find it. #AvonBirds #PWNR

Wren are so loud! This one was singing away yesterday at Gwent Wildlife Trust Magor Marsh (07.04.26). #birdingwales #ukwildlife #birds

A Male Redstart at Blackmoor Nature Reserve on the Mendip Hills this afternoon 😍

Nice to see all three black-and-white flycatcher species during the week w/ Semi-collared, Collared and Pied Flycatchers all seen (the latter being surprisingly the least common out of the three!) #WildTravelling #Cyprus #CyprusBirds

#southglosbirds nice to see you this morning and here’s my photo of a Ringed Plover and Little Ringed Plover - spot the difference!

This afternoon I heard and saw my first scratchy little Whitethroats of the year at Portbury Wharf. #AvonBirds - Portishead, 8 April 2026.

Well this was an unexpected and delightful surprise at Gwent Wildlife Trust Magor Marsh today. A family of two adult Little Grebe with four chicks. Lovely to watch across the pond - the adults were quite active, continually diving and feeding their chicks. (07.04.26) #birdingwales #ukwildlife #birds

A male Great Bustard, today on Salisbury Plain.

Patch mega Red-legged Partridge ✅, 11 Sandwich Tern, 3 Grey Plover, LRP, Ringed Plover, Great White Egret, Marsh Harrier, Red Kite, 2 Wheatear, 2 Willow Warbler, 20+ Blackcap, 92 Sand Martin and 28 Swallow the highlights at Severn Beach this morning with @oscardewhurst.bsky.social #ukbirding

Skylark on Drifton Hill this afternoon. #ukbirds #ukbirds

Some Stonechats at Portbury Wharf Nature Reserve today. #AvonBirds - Portishead, 5 April 2026

Absolutely loving all the bird song. Such a wonderful time of year. #AvonBirds #PWNR

Beautiful morning at Portbury Wharf today! We saw two snipe at South Pools plus stonechat, reed buntings, lapwing, oystercatcher, buzzard and more. North pools was mostly gulls (LBB, GBB, BH, herring). Three bullfinch on the way back to the car. #AvonBirds #PWNR

Corn Bunting & Red-legged Partridges near Marshfield this afternoon. @bristolbirding.bsky.social #ukbirds #ukbirding

The change in wind direction also brought clear skies so I had tempered expectations for today, but had really nice views my first Wheatears of the year #ukbirding #somersetbirding

Great Crested Grebes today at Cheddar Reservoir

Some Lapwing, Oystercatcher and (one of two) Snipe at Portbury Wharf this morning... #AvonBirds #PWNR - Portishead, 6 April 2026.

Nice to see a Wheatear within walking distance at Clapton Moor hide this afternoon, along with a few Heron. #AvonBirds - Portishead Gordano valley, 6 April 2026.

Nailsea Moor this morning: 2 Little Owl 1 Green Sandpiper #avonbirds

Scaup, fem at Cheddar Reservoir today

Nice views of drake Lesser Scaup at Cheddar Reservoir this evening. Also 3 Greater Scaup (2m, 1f), 5 Common Sandpiper, 200 Sand Martin, & a singing Willow Warbler present. #somersetbirding

While you're weathering my storm...here's a little reminder of summer delights - Painted Lady, Vanessa cardui. #UKButterflies An amazing multi-step African migrant species