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

Grey Plover this morning at Hollowell Reservoir. Appeared overhead from the north, flew a few circuits, calling constantly, then seemed to depart south. #northantsbirds #ukbirding #waders

Herring Gull with Garfish this evening at Porthgwarra #CornwallBirds #CBWPS

Arctic Skua this morning from Pendeen Watch. 5+ past in the c90 minutes I was there; also a steady passage of Sooty Shearwaters and several small groups of Common Scoters. #CornwallBirds #CBWPS #ukbirding

Black Redstart today at Zennor Head; one of two present #CornwallBirds #cbwps #ukbirding

Sabine’s Gull and Sooty Shearwater this afternoon at Pendeen, Cornwall. Three of each while I was there, plus 2 Arctic Skuas (missed a couple more while I was getting my eye in); plus a constant stream of auks, Gannets, Kittiwakes etc.

Cape Cornwall / Saint Just. Down here for a week. Weather forecast looks lively!

Rock Pipit, early doors / first light this morning at Hollowell Reservoir #northantsbirds #ukbirding

Crossbills this morning at Hollowell Reservoir #northantsbirds #ukbirding

Common Scoter this morning at Hollowell Reservoir; present since Tuesday. #northantsbirds #ukbirding

White Edge, Curbar, Derbyshire: c150 Pink-footed Geese just now, heading east. Heard them coming long before I could see them; a lovely sight and sound #ukbirding

Pectoral Sandpiper this evening at Hollowell Reservoir; day 7 of its stay here #northantsbirds #ukbirding #waders

Pectoral Sandpiper this morning at Hollowell Reservoir. Chuffed to find this after a quiet autumn so far here for #waders. #northantsbirds #ukbirding