Wood Sandpiper this morning at Hollowell Reservoir. #northantsbirds #ukbirding #waders

Dartford Warbler this afternoon at @nationaltrust.org.uk Dunwich Heath, Suffolk. #ukbirding

One of at least two (probably three) Common Redstarts this evening at Honey Hill, Cold Ashby. A reliable site in spring and late summer. #northantsbirds #redstarts #ukbirding

Common Redstart today on the east perimeter of Cold Ashby Golf Centre, Northants. Thanks to a conservation-minded landowner, I’m fortunate to have access to adjacent farmland, including some classic late-summer Redstart habitat. Also foraged a bonus 39 stray golf balls, hopefully reusable.

Osprey circling high over Hollowell village this evening, with a large Bream; & being mobbed by the local Swifts. #ukbirding #northantsbirds

Grasshopper Warbler this morning at Hollowell Reservoir. Reeling from a dense patch of Meadowsweet, and showing occasionally. A late first for me this year, perhaps overlooked here.

Spotted Flycatcher pair still in & around our garden; both birds active from dawn to dusk, taking food to presumed nest in hydrangea on our neighbour’s wall. No sound whatsoever from the nestlings.

Sitting in the back garden, watching Swifts overhead. Lovely.

Spotted Flycatcher, present in & around our garden since May 1st, joined this morning by a female. Courtship observed, with the male bird feeding the female.

Tyne Kittiwakes on the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art, Gateshead. Good to see the colony apparently doing well, despite the maintenance work on the Tyne Bridge.

Dartford Warbler this morning at Blaxhall Common, Suffolk.

Nightjar this evening, Rendlesham Forest, Suffolk. 1-2 churring & 1 heard calling, but didn’t show themselves.

Osprey ‘Blue T3’ fishing this evening at Hollowell Reservoir #northantsbirds

Manx Shearwaters this morning at Pendeen Watch. A constant stream heading SW between 0600 and 0800.

Whimbrel this morning at Common Towans, Hayle. Two feeding in the dunes. @cbwps.org.uk

Tawny Owl this morning at Ravensthorpe Reservoir. Above the path just ahead of me: don’t think I’ve ever had a better view of this species. Spent an enjoyable couple of minutes in its company. #northantsbirds

Garganey pair this morning at Brandon Marsh @warwickshirewt.bsky.social

Black Tern this evening at Ravensthorpe Reservoir #northantsbirds

Spotted Flycatcher today in Hollowell village. A welcome early return - first seen here last year on 5th June. Just one bird, around for most of the morning; & seen investigating previous attempted nest site in neighbour’s Hydrangea. #northantsbirds

Passage of Common Sandpipers this morning: 8 at Hollowell Reservoir, then 8 again at nearby Ravensthorpe Res. (photo); based on timings, I’d say two different parties. High Spring counts for both sites #northantsbirds #waders

Found these Barn Owl flight feathers a couple of weeks ago. No sign of the rest of the bird. Perhaps lost in a tussle? (found in a meadow also frequented by Kestrels).

Tree Sparrow this afternoon near Sibbertoft. Local & declining in these parts, so it was very pleasing to find a ‘new’ site. One bird collecting nest material. Several years since I’ve seen one anywhere other than the feeding station at Pitsford Res. #northantsbirds

Osprey this evening at Hollowell Reservoir #northantsbirds

Black Terns and Little Gulls this afternoon at Pitsford Reservoir (10+ and 5+ respectively while I was there), very active and mobile. Lots moving through the county today; glad I managed to connect with a few of them. #northantsbirds

Grey Plover this morning at @wildlifebcn.org Lilbourne Meadows #northantsbirds

Yellow Wagtail this evening at Hollowell Reservoir, one of two feeding on the spillway. First-of-year for me. Seeing these has to be one of the best things about springtime birding. #northantsbirds

Red-throated Diver still at Hollowell Reservoir this morning. Very active, flying extended high circuits; also vocal: repeated cackling flight call and while on the water, a mournful wail. #northantsbirds

Wheatears moving through this morning, including this one on a muck heap near Cold Ashby #northantsbirds

One of three Northern Wheatears this morning at Borough Hill, Daventry; first of year for me #northantsbirds

Osprey (first of year for me) this evening at Hollowell Reservoir #northantsbirds

The long-staying Red-throated Diver at Hollowell Reservoir; present almost seven weeks here and nearby Ravensthorpe. #northantsbirds

Dipper, River Dove, south of Milldale. Mrs C’s birthday today: she opted for a hike around the White Peak, rather than a trip to town / shopping etc 🙏.

Red-throated Diver still on the local patch this morning: at Hollowell Reservoir, & then overhead on its way to Ravensthorpe Res. #northantsbirds

Red-throated Diver this evening at Hollowell Reservoir. Day 12 of its stay on the local patch; watched it this morning departing Ravensthorpe Res to here #northantsbirds #ukbirding

Slavonian Grebe this morning at Ravensthorpe Reservoir. Only picked it up when I was within 10m of it: a very welcome surprise (& a site tick for me). #northantsbirds #ukbirding

Red-throated Diver still at Ravensthorpe Reservoir this morning; nice to see it in good light #northantsbirds #ukbirding

Red-throated Diver this evening at Ravensthorpe Reservoir. Glad I called in for a quick end-of-day check. A county tick for me. #northantsbirds

Crested Tit today at Glenmore NNR. Hiked down from Cairn Gorm through the eastern part of the reserve. Also there, 2 Capercaillies; flew from top of old pines - too quick for photos.

Snow Bunting at Cairn Gorm today. Walked up the Allt Mor trail from Glenmore: a winter wonderland.

Great Northern Diver today at Draycote Water, Warwickshire #ukbirding

Sparrowhawk, with Moorhen prey, this morning at Ravensthorpe Reservoir #northantsbirds

A bright and breezy day to end a short trip to East Sussex and Kent. Med. Gull and Kittiwake at Dungeness; 60+ White-fronted Geese at Pett Level; a raft of Red-throated Divers off Winchelsea Beach.

Goldeneyes in the murk this morning at Ravensthorpe Reservoir. Close enough to hear the males making a low-frequency buzzing sound that I’d not heard before, in addition to the usual loud, mechanical ‘cree-creek’ call. #northantsbirds #ukbirding

Smew this afternoon at Pitsford Reservoir #northantsbirds #ukbirding

Whooper Swan this afternoon at Hollowell Reservoir; flew in with 4 Mute Swans #northantsbirds #ukbirding

Jack Snipe this afternoon at Hollowell Reservoir #northantsbirds #ukbirding

Red-breasted Merganser this morning at Ravensthorpe Reservoir. Briefly indulged in a bit of head-throwing display amid a raft of Tufted Ducks, then seemed to depart south. A site tick for me. #northantsbirds #ukbirding

Another grey day here… but we had a brief & intense fiery sunset over Guilsborough #nnskies

Black-necked Grebe yesterday at Pitsford Reservoir #northantsbirds #ukbirding

Dusky Warbler this morning at Aylestone Meadows. Calling constantly for c20 minutes, feeding in the willow canopy; tricky to see well, but occasionally popped out into the open. UK tick #300 for me. #leicsbirds #lros #ukbirding