An inadvertently well-timed trip to Cumbria over the weekend meant we were there bang on for High Brown Fritillary. After a failed search in the heat of the day on Saturday, an earlier visit on Sunday led to some excellent views #ukbutterflies

This Osprey has been lingering around Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe Dunes NNR for just over a week, but yesterday morning gave some brilliant views as I checked the beach. Shortly after, a White-winged Black Tern flew north!! A very enjoyable start to the day! #lincsbirding #ukbirding

After a message from birders down the coast of a Bee-eater flying north, it was time for a waiting game... after 40 minutes I was just about to give up, but then a familiar call started and shortly after it cruised straight over me before continuing its way north #lincsbirding #ukbirding

This very unseasonal Whooper Swan has been lingering at Rimac recently. It appears healthy, so must now be eagerly awaiting the return of its mates in a few months! #lincsbirding #ukbirding

One week in and the Savi's Warbler is still present at Rimac, Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe Dunes NNR. A heard only fly-over Bee-eater on Tuesday afternoon made it an even better week for patch birding! #lincsbirding #ukbirding

Collared Pratincole at a windy Frampton Marsh this afternoon #lincsbirding #ukbirding

This stunning Glossy Ibis spent the day on Sea View washlands, Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe Dunes NNR, having been found by a local birder this morning. What a treat!

Temminck's Stint still present by the car park at Rimac, Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe Dunes NNR, today having been found yesterday. Great little waders! #lincsbirding #ukbirding

At Saltfleetby/Theddlethorpe Dunes NNR once the dragonflies have gone to roost a new quarry appears for this Eurasian Hobby Fox Moths! @lincswildlife.bsky.social @lincsbirding.bsky.social @pintailpictures.bsky.social @bimblingbirder.bsky.social @owenbeaumont.bsky.social #Lincsbirding #Birds

American Golden Plover still at Frampton Marsh this evening. Smart looking bird and a somewhat overdue lifer for me #lincsbirding #ukbirding

The river mouths around Lesvos were alive with birds. On the final evening we had a memorable encounter with this brilliant Little Crake

Most mornings were quite still on Lesvos before afternoon winds gained strength, but our final morning was absolutely still. The route from Skala Kallonis to the salt pans rewarded us with a group of Glossy Ibis and some of the 'usual' waders in some magnificent dawn light

Marsh terns came and went throughout our week on Lesvos. Flocks of Whiskered and White-winged Black were great to watch over the meadows, but having a tight flock spiralling over our heads as we swam in the sea was particularly special

Seeing Black-headed Buntings lining the track and river edges around Lesvos was a brilliant sight and an equally good sound

After a few years of training, I'm officially a C-permit licensed bird ringer! Some highlights below from my time as a trainee

Town parks in Lesvos are a little bit different to the UK! This family of Long-eared Owls were roosting in a busy area without a care in the world

The rolling calls of European Bee-Eaters seemed to fill the skies of Lesvos wherever we went. At various sites, we were treated to some truly exceptional views

We did well for shrikes throughout the week on Lesvos, with varying numbers of the main species. The stunning Masked Shrike was surely the best looking, though! A new bird for me

Cretzchmar's Bunting was a species I was looking forward to seeing on Lesvos, and they certainly lived up to expectation. Watching these beside the picturesque roads up to Ipsilou Monastery was a special experience

Another bird which shocked me with its (lack of) size was Scops Owl. We visited one of the best known sites on Lesvos a few times to catch a glimpse of these brilliant little birds roosting in large Eucalyptus trees

My 'bird of the week' from the Lesvos trip has to be Little Bittern. This was my first time seeing them anywhere, and I was caught well off guard by just how little they are! Most rivers had multiple birds lurking in the reedy edges, but occasionally they'd step into the open

I returned home yesterday after a week on Lesvos with the gang 🇬🇷 Some brilliant birding and arguably even better scenery. A collective 188 species recorded throughout the week and around 25 lifers personally. Bring on the next one!

A final walk at Rimac, Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe Dunes NNR, this morning before a week on Lesvos! Nothing too unusual seen, and a bit of a mishmash of seasons, but another lovely morning and some nice birds seen #lincsbirding #ukbirding

It's been great to hear Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe Dunes NNR come to life over the last week with a spring arrival of warblers, including a few brilliant Grasshopper Warblers #ukbirding #lincsbirding

It was nice to get my first orchids of the year today with a trip to see these stunning Green-winged orchids at a site between bird surveys. Always a treat!

More pics of the Western Subalpine Warbler at Gibraltar Point today. Mostly skulking through buckthorn, but frequently briefly popping out to allow some better views #lincsbirding #ukbirding

Western Subalpine Warbler at Gibraltar Point earlier today about 200m from where the Eastern was just over six years ago! Another top find by Kev Wilson #lincsbirding #ukbirding

Nice to get in on some spring migrant action with this Black Redstart at Rimac, Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe Dunes NNR, earlier. Hopefully the start of a decent spring on the Lincs coast! #lincsbirding #ukbirding

Finally cracked and briefly popped by Winteringham yesterday for the Eastern Yellow Wagtail. Nice views in the ploughed field and quite a few calls heard - some at the end of this clip as it took off. Thanks to Mike Pilsworth for the find! #lincsbirding #ukbirding

Despite having minimal terrestrial birding time in South Africa, a couple of trips to Durban botanic gardens were highly rewarding. Some great views of many common, and a few scarcer, species. A few highlights below

Back to reality today! 10 White-fronted Geese found by a local near Crook Bank this morning took me to 100 for the patch year list. Hopefully motivation for patch birding will return properly soon...! #ukbirding #lincsbirding

Having recently returned home from a truly unforgettable week on board on the MSC Musica for Flock to Marion 2025 with Birdlife South Africa, it's time to sort through photos and relive all the best moments. Why not start the very best - Wandering and Sooty Albatrosses

A freezing but beautiful morning for @WeBS_UK along Theddlethorpe foreshore. Over 500 roosting Curlew at dawn were the perfect way to start the day, and 2 Shorelark and 15 Snow Bunting feeding on the beach were a real treat, too #ukbirding #lincsbirding

A challenging day list around Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe Dunes NNR to start 2025, with morning rain and strong winds throughout. 83 species recorded personally (87 joint total), including Jack Snipe, 9 Cattle Egret and this confiding Snow Bunting. Happy New Year! #ukbirding #lincsbirding

Well, that's 2024 done and dusted. A busy year with NNR work, surveys, birding, ringing and an engagement! All lists were fairly modest with far less twitching, but I still managed a few UK ticks plus some great trips elsewhere. Thanks to all who made it a good one. Roll on 2025! #ukbirding

Nice views of the Red-necked Grebe at a windy Winter's Pond, East Halton, earlier this afternoon. #ukbirding (Unfortunately, it seems video quality gets even more destroyed on here?!)

The two Shorelark on Crook Bank beach, Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe Dunes NNR, earlier in the week #ukbirding

Although not in the numbers of this time last year, it's always a pleasure to see the White-fronted Geese in North Norfolk. Footage of some of the Holkham group on Sunday #ukbirding

It was tricky to locate many winter goose flocks in Norfolk. We came across a couple near Docking, though, with one field containing this Tundra Bean and adult White-fronted Goose #ukbirding

Just got back from a long weekend in North Norfolk with the lads. A nice selection of winter species seen, including lovely views of the Shorelarks at Holkham on Friday afternoon #ukbirding

Lovely to see Short-eared Owls floating over the dunes in the gorgeous winter sun earlier today

It was good to see a few Little Auk passing the Lincs coast last week, even if only a fraction of the counts recorded further north! A decent supporting cast too, with divers, ducks and kittiwake on the move. Full counts from Mablethorpe on @trektellen.bsky.social