Black guillemot, South Gare Has been fairly chilled over the last two hours here, despite marine traffic in the Tees. Distant in the channel. Many thanks to Bob H for putting out the news earlier this morning. @teesbirds.bsky.social @nybirdnews.bsky.social @birdguides.bsky.social #birds #ukbirding

Tawny owl fledglings this evening in Commondale from bedroom window. Been another good year for them, three being noisy most nights. No idea where they are during the day. ❤️ @teesbirds.bsky.social @nybirdnews.bsky.social @northyorkmoors.bsky.social #birds #ukbirding

Gorgeous hare at Wykeham Forest, Raptor Viewpoint on Tuesday. Bonus after the Iberian chiffchaff. I was on road and it walked by. Stunning creature, always surprised by length of the forelegs. @northyorkmoors.bsky.social @nybirdnews.bsky.social @yorkswildlife.bsky.social @teesbirds.bsky.social

Pied avocet, Cley Marshes, Norfolk. Delighted to have a parent walk past with their young on Friday, whilst I was approaching the boardwalk. Beautiful chicks, superb reserve. 12.6.26 #birds #ukbirding @waderquest.bsky.social @wtsww.bsky.social @britishnatureguide.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social

Brown hare, Wheeldale Roman Road This beauty up close whilst I was listening for golden plover yesterday up on the moors. @northyorkmoors.bsky.social @nybirdnews.bsky.social @teesbirds.bsky.social

(Very) local male redstart and wheatear this afternoon, always good to check in when returning from further afield. #birds #ukbirding @nybirdnews.bsky.social @teesbirds.bsky.social @northyorkmoors.bsky.social

Golden plover, Wheeldale, NY Moors Actually my first on moorland territory this year, as drawing a blank on my local patch spots. Also a new find dipper, and surprisingly, 2 grey partridge, in drizzle this AM @nybirdnews.bsky.social @teesbirds.bsky.social @waderquest.bsky.social #birds #ukbirding

Oystercatchers, Commondale It’s been a great year for the pairs on the village outskirts, and young are well ahead of those at Scaling Dam. @nybirdnews.bsky.social @teesbirds.bsky.social @northyorkmoors.bsky.social #birds #ukbirding

Blackbird, Commondale One of our residents has a distinctive centre white tail feather stripe. Always raises a smile when I see him, including before the rains today. Please drive carefully through the village. 😊 #birds #ukbirding @nybirdnews.bsky.social @teesbirds.bsky.social

European hare, Akasztó, Hungary 🇭🇺. Widespread numbers of these beauties right across the Great Hungarian Plain #Alföld 29.5.26

Savi’s warbler, Apajpuszta, Hungary 🇭🇺. Saw and heard a good number and several were showy. Tried a couple of spots for my first river warbler but failed. Next time. 29.5.26 #birdinghungary #birds

Cuckoo, Hortobágy, Hungary 🇭🇺 I have never seen or heard so many of these enigmatic birds in single country before. Plenty of obliging flybys, often when I was focussing on something else … 27.5.26 #birdinghungary #birds

Great bustard, nr Bugyi, Hungary 🇭🇺 After dipping in several locations over this last week, final saw this lifer today. And then 11 more in a group on the horizon… Heat haze and distant but magnificent. Have seen little bustards in Cadiz 🇪🇸 with @johncantelo.bsky.social #birdinghungary #birds

Broad-billed sandpiper, Akasztó, Hungary 🇭🇺. After 3 hours searching amongst little stint and waiting for the sun’s direction, finally identified 3 on the salt pans. Not met any birders in 7 days travelling, but eBird delivered for me. 3rd lifer of trip, #130 birds so far. #birdinghungary #birds

Short-toed snake eagle, Akasztó, Hungary 🇭🇺. Photographing into the sun, a bonus during 3 wader hours at a salt pan this morning. First I’ve seen during the week here, after SO many marsh harriers. 29.5.26 #birdinghungary #birds

Wheatear, with grub, Danby Beacon Feeding in the late afternoon sunshine yesterday, as I was dipping golden plover on way home. #birds #ukbirding @teesbirds.bsky.social @nybirdnews.bsky.social @northyorkmoors.bsky.social

Little tern, South Gare, Redcar One of three visiting from Seaton Carew mid-afternoon. Noisy! 100+ ringed plover too. @teesbirds.bsky.social @nybirdnews.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social #birds #ukbirding

Gannet, South Gare, Redcar Pair diving close off the breakwater mid-afternoon today, often pursued by gulls for scraps. Wingspans mirroring the turbines. @teesbirds.bsky.social @teeswildlife.bsky.social @nybirdnews.bsky.social #birds #ukbirding

Dear @nosterfieldnr.bsky.social Please do not encourage me to photograph mammals. It is very distracting when I’m birding your reserve. Thank you. @nybirdnews.bsky.social @yorkswildlife.bsky.social @teesbirds.bsky.social @bbcspringwatch.bsky.social

Pied flycatcher, North York Moors After an hour’s wait, 3 of started singing and catching insects this evening. Thanks to those who maintain their rare habitat oasis in these parts, it is much appreciated. @nybirdnews.bsky.social @northyorkmoors.bsky.social @teesbirds.bsky.social #birds #ukbirding

Grey partridge, nr Well After fluffing a shot of a barn owl flying past my head with a mole, at least this beauty appeared shortly after. Nice bonus leaving @nosterfieldnr.bsky.social @nybirdnews.bsky.social @teesbirds.bsky.social #birds #ukbirding

Red-throated pipit, Larnaca Sewage Works, Cyprus 17.4.26. Large flock in stubble field next to birdwatching tower, with yellow wagtails. Never had these numbers again despite several visits. Closest views I’ve had of this bird. #birdsofcyorus @birdsaroundcy.bsky.social @birdlifecyprus.bsky.social

Corn bunting, Thormanby fields. Thought I’d better get my North Yorks Year ✅ after lots in Cyprus. 5 & bonus 2 grey partridge, yellow wagtail, lesser and common whitethroat, yellowhammers. Always great hedges here this month. @nybirdnews.bsky.social @teesbirds.bsky.social @yorkbirding.bsky.social

Cyprus warbler, Mavrokolympos Dam. Went back to try to get a better photo on the final evening of our trip, managed this in failing light. Also a third Isabelline wheatear of the trip. Cracking first time destination. #birdsofcyprus #birds @birdsaroundcy.bsky.social @birdlifecyprus.bsky.social

Cretzschmar's bunting, Neo Chorio, Cyprus. Singing in the late evening sunshine 26.4.26. Lifer for me after dipping in Jordan. Smart birds, didn’t manage Ortolan when in the country to compare. #birdsofcyprus #birds @birdsaroundcy.bsky.social @birdlifecyprus.bsky.social

Whinchat, North York Moors Distant in the heat haze but pleased at least one back on territory locally this afternoon. @nybirdnews.bsky.social @teesbirds.bsky.social @northyorkmoors.bsky.social #birds #ukbirding

Common redstart, North York Moors. Glad my new nest box meets with her approval. Nest building this lunchtime in glorious sunshine. Fingers crossed for a successful local brood @teesbirds.bsky.social @nybirdnews.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social @northyorkmoors.bsky.social

Eastern black-eared wheatear, Agia Varvara, Cyprus 27.4.26. Having a feast amongst a swarm of insects. Saw three males across the island on my trip, and two females. Such smart birds. 🌍✅#1196 #birdsofcyprus #birds @birdsaroundcy.bsky.social @birdlifecyprus.bsky.social

Great spotted cuckoo preen, Androlikou, Cyprus. Seen on the outskirts of this largely abandoned village 29.4.26. Life ✅ for me this trip, ended up seeing a few in Paphos region. Often flew close, and noisily. Great bird. #birdsofcyprus #birds @birdsaroundcy.bsky.social @birdlifecyprus.bsky.social

Collision of worlds for me. Rare new Lisa Gerrard collaboration single out today. Dead Can Dance one of my favourite 4AD bands as were Bulgarian Voices. Listened to during solo travels in North Africa & Eastern Europe in early 1990s. Fond memories stirred: tinyurl.com/3fm9bfx8

Red-rumped swallow, nr Evretou Ευρέτου, Cyprus. Just like its partner (!) I enjoyed watching this beauty collecting nesting material this morning. Stunning colours, despite the day being overcast. #birdingcyprus #birds @birdsaroundcy.bsky.social @birdlifecyprus.bsky.social

Black francolin, Simou Σίμου, Cyprus. This bird has driven me crazy this trip, often heard, NEVER seen. Until this morning driving back from Evretou Ευρέτου. Those are some serious lungs! Can now finally count as a Life ✅ #birdingcyprus #birds @birdsaroundcy.bsky.social @birdlifecyprus.bsky.social

Cyprus warbler studies, Mavrokolympos Dam Φράγμα Μαυροκόλυμπου, Cyprus in late afternoon sunshine. Finally, after nine days, despite being on #118 self-find other ✅ so far. Seventh lifer here. #birdingcyprus #birds @birdsaroundcy.bsky.social @birdlifecyprus.bsky.social

Little owl, Androlikou Ανδρολύκου, Cyprus this morning. Spent a while scanning derelict building across the valley but to no avail. Then spotted this beauty along a roadside. #birdingcyprus #birds @birdsaroundcy.bsky.social @birdlifecyprus.bsky.social

European roller, Androlikou Ανδρολύκου, Cyprus this morning. What a fantastic valley to explore. Stunning views. #birdingcyprus #birds @birdsaroundcy.bsky.social @birdlifecyprus.bsky.social

Eastern olivaceous warbler, Baths of Aphrodite Λουτρά της Αφροδίτης, Akama 🇨🇾. Much more showy birds here than I’ve found elsewhere, and VERY noisy. #birdingcyprus #birds @birdlifecyprus.bsky.social @birdsaroundcy.bsky.social

Pied flycatcher, Baths of Aphrodite Λουτρά της Αφροδίτης, Akama 🇨🇾. A couple seen today, first day on other side of the island for this coming week. Cyprus Year ✅ 105 #birdingcyprus #birds @birdlifecyprus.bsky.social @birdsaroundcy.bsky.social

Masked shrike studies, Fikardou Φυκάρδου 🇨🇾 yesterday. So many seen in the village and on hikes on the slopes of the Troodos mountains. Have only seen a juvenile before, in Jordan. Stunning birds. #birdingcyprus #birds @birdsaroundcy.bsky.social

Stone curlew, Spiro’s Pool, Larnaca 🇨🇾. Pair passing through this morning, amongst the beach scrub. Gave some good flyby views before heading on north. Brought my Cyprus ✅ list to 98 these last six days. #birdingcyprus #birds @birdlifecyprus.bsky.social @birdsaroundcy.bsky.social

Eastern olivaceous warbler, Kouris River, Cyprus. I paid for this Life ✅ photograph with several large insect bites at the M1 Pools today. Well worth it. 😊 #birdingcyprus #birds @birdlifecyprus.bsky.social @birdsaroundcy.bsky.social

Isabelline wheatear, Larnaca, Cyprus Camouflaged in the stubble fields this morning, late passage through after the rains. Sewage works here continue to deliver. 😊 #birdingcyprus #birds @birdsaroundcy.bsky.social @birdlifecyprus.bsky.social

Collared pratincole, Spiro’s Pool, Larnaca, Cyprus yesterday evening. 22 counted, always glorious birds. I fondly remember my very first with @john_cantelo when at Barbate, Cadíz 🇪🇸. #birdingcyprus #birds @birdsaroundcy.bsky.social @birdlifecyprus.bsky.social

Marsh sandpiper in the ruff, Spiro’s Pool, Larnaca, Cyprus 🇨🇾 Birds put up by lightning strikes in the gloom after dawn today, but largely very accommodating. #birdingcyprus #birds @birdlifecyprus.bsky.social @birdsaroundcy.bsky.social

Greater flamingo, Spiro’s Pool, Larnaca this morning. Lightning strikes put them up a few times, and a little closer to me in my Faraday cage. Fantastic collection of waders at the moment here. #birdingcyprus #birds @birdlifecyprus.bsky.social @birdsaroundcy.bsky.social

Spectacled warbler, nr Spiro’s Pool, Larnaca, Cyprus 🇨🇾 this morning. Popped into view along the coastline scrub as I was photographing a red-backed shrike. #birds #birdingcyprus @birdlifecyprus.bsky.social @birdsaroundcy.bsky.social

Collared flycatcher, Μενεού pools, Larnaca this morning. Very accommodating male, with such beautiful contrasting colours. #birdingcyprus #birds @birdsaroundcy.bsky.social @birdlifecyprus.bsky.social

Local old redstart nesting box had finally fallen apart over winter. So I’ve built a new one to same dimensions and replaced today. Recycled front plate, ties and rubber hinge. Here’s hoping the returning pair actually return, for everyone to enjoy. @teesbirds.bsky.social @nybirdnews.bsky.social

Messing about with my watercolours and ink today, been a couple of decades since last time, but a more recent focus.

Wheatear, Commondale My first views of one of our locals returning to territory for the summer, in brutal winds across the @northyorkmoors.bsky.social A few more to follow yet I hope. @nybirdnews.bsky.social @teesbirds.bsky.social @teeswildlife.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social #birds #ukbirding

Red-legged honeycreeper, Pérez Zeledón, CR 🇨🇷. One of my favourite tanagers from our trip in February. 9.2.26 #birdingcostarica #birds