The 9th annual Wanstead Wheatear Sweepstake is in full swing & with Wheatears already seen at several sites across London - Could we see an early arrival as well? Raising money for @songbirdsurvival.bsky.social #londonbirds #UKbirding

1st-winter Caspian Gull at Wanstead over the weekend. There were 3 different 1st-winter birds recorded on Saturday, the highest day count for the patch - not bad for an urban London site #UKbirding #londonbirds

A 1st-winter Grey Wagtail on Wanstead Flats today #londonbirds #UKBirds

Another great week on Shetland comes to an end! East meets West with Siberian Thrush & Blackpoll Warbler, however 3 Orcas going up the east coast and viewed from Troswick and Levenwick was the undoubted highlight. #UKBirding

A Whinchat on Wanstead Flats - relatively low numbers so far, peaking at just 4 & another indication of how poor an autumn it’s been on the patch #londonbirds #UKBirding

Spotted Flycatcher on Wanstead Flats at the weekend, it’s been a bang average Autumn so far on the patch #londonbirds #UKbirding

A Whinchat on Wanstead Flats #londonbirds #UKbirding

Ruddy Shelduck - A recent visitor to Wanstead Flats, origins remain unknown, could be a vagrant from the continent (Holland) or an escape from a wildfowl collection! Either way, a potential armchair patch tick #londonbirds #UKbirding

As of tomorrow March 1st the annual Wanstead Wheatear Sweepstake kicks off (now in its 8th year) and raising money for South Essex Wildlife Hospital. Will it be an early arrived this year?? #UKBirding #LondonBirds

Stopped In my tracks today by this handsome beast #foxOfTheDay

Hiding in plain sight! Tundra Bean Goose amongst the resident flock of Greylags on Wanstead Flats this morning. Patch tick & 1st site record. #londonbords #UKbirds

A common site in many a UK garden throughout the Winter months - Blackcap. #londonbirds

The female Red-Crested Pochard remains on Heronry lake in Wanstead Park. #londonbirds

Very pleased to have photographed an Otter today along the River Roding at Wanstead. Even just a few years ago I thought it wouldn’t be possible to witness this on a London river!

Any London based birders joining @bsky.app please use the hashtag #londonbirds for sightings & news.

Even at some distance, unmistakable in this plumage #UKbirding

That’s the trip to Iceland cancelled! Northern Lights from NE London - Wow!

Only my 2nd ever Wanstead patch record of Marsh Harrier. Remarkably, the last one was also on the 5th October (2019) #UKbirding #Londonbirds

A rare visit to Rainham Marsh today. 3 Great Egret & a high tide roost of 53 Blackwit, 9 Curlew. A dozen Swallow knocking around, a late Reed Warbler. Wildfowl numbers building slowly with increasing numbers of Teal, Wigeon & Pintail + 2 rather smart male Cape Shelduck #londonbirds #UKBirding

Hit a rather wet Wanstead patch this morning, increase numbers of Stonechat (10+) 2 Whinchat & a single Wheatear. Small pockets of Hirundines going SW between the showers #LondonBirds