Full day out on the Severnside patch produced a bonkers array of species: 2 Bewick's Swan first thing then flew NE, 16 White-fronted Goose, 4 Pochard, Cattle Egret, Barwit and 2 Blackwit at New Passage/Pilning Wetland. The 3 Penduline Tit continue to draw a crowd, plus Barn Owl at Aust Wetland.

Continued evidence of the recent grey goose influx into the Severn estuary today, with 12 Tundra Beans and increased numbers of Russian Whitefronts on the Tack Piece at Slimbridge WWT. My last Slimbridge Tundra Bean was as long ago as 2013! Pic: Paul Marshall #ukbirding

Excellent all-dayer on the Severnside patch. Penduline Tits still present, White-front flock up from 8 to 16, unseasonal Whinchat still on Northwick Warth and the Cattle Egret again on Pilning Wetland. Good to catch up with @severnsidebirds.bsky.social & @aravindramesh19.bsky.social #ukbirding

Excellent all-dayer on the Severnside patch. Penduline Tits still present, White-front flock up from 8 to 16, unseasonal Whinchat still on Northwick Warth and the Cattle Egret again on Pilning Wetland. Good to catch up with @severnsidebirds.bsky.social & @aravindramesh19.bsky.social #ukbirding

The sun has finally set on 2025, and it's time to get excited about a new year. Now it's back to trying to find my own birds on the Severnside patch near Bristol. Thanks to all those on here who have helped me this year, and here's wishing you all a happy, healthy, and bird-filled 2026 #ukbirding

MY TOP 10 BIRDS OF THE YEAR 2025 1: Siberian Thrush (Oct 2, Shetland) I was not far away when Simon Nichols found this stunning first winter male at Asta. My boots were soon filling with water as I stood in the loch, gazing up at a vision in blue. This amazing pic by @tomhines.bsky.social #ukbirding

MY TOP 10 BIRDS OF THE YEAR 2025 2: Black-winged Kite (August 21, Gloucs) Birders sprinted along the towpath to catch a view of this dapper raptor as it left roost at Frampton-on-Severn. Gliding and hovering as it hunted the saltmarsh, it put on an unforgettable show. Pic: Mark Leitch #ukbirding

The final sunset of the year from Severn Beach ends a phenomenal year of Patch birding. The final total of reported species equals the record count of 190, with 5 additions to the species list. Many thanks to the finders and a Happy New year.🤞for the Penduline Tits to start 2026 off nicely.

What a memorable year, with so many amazing birding experience! My final count is 237 and my favourite is the red-flanked bluetail! A couple of my favourite experiences are: Nightjars with @andy-1963.bsky.social Ring necked parakeets in London Puffins in skomer Red-necked phalarope at spurn

MY TOP 10 BIRDS OF THE YEAR 2025 3: Forster's Tern (March 25, Dorset) Overlooking Shipstal Point, I heard the star bird calling before I saw it. I watched the 'dandy highwayman' on and off for the next couple of hours, leaving only when the hordes descended. What a treat! Pic: Dave Ward #ukbirding

MY TOP 10 BIRDS OF THE YEAR 2025 4: Turkestan Shrike (October 9, Suffolk) After being battered by wind and rain in Shetland, it felt good to bask in the sun and watch this magnificent shrike catch bees and wasps on Dunwich heath. Such a classy bird and in a great location to boot #ukbirding

MY TOP 10 BIRDS OF THE YEAR 2025 5: Double-crested Cormorant (March 10, Co Sligo) Had to go looking for this long-stayer following a no-show at Doon Lough. Eventually caught up with it on Colgagh Lough, where it performed superbly well. Only my second DCC this side of the Atlantic. Pic: Lee Gregory

MY TOP 10 BIRDS OF THE YEAR 2025 6: Scops Owl (Dec 8, Glamorgan) Walking around Dunvant Park in the dark with a local birder who had a torch, I suddenly saw this wee owl perched low off the ground, not 10 metres away. I'll never forget those piercing yellow eyes. Pic: Richard Dann #ukbirding

MY TOP 10 BIRDS OF THE YEAR 2025 7: Song Sparrow (June 10, East Yorks) I was watching a Ruddy Duck in Oxon when this nearctic Sparrow was re-found at Thornwick Bay. Fours later, I was enjoying the first really major twitch of the year. Great views, happy birders, top day. Pic: Mike Carr #ukbirding

MY TOP 10 BIRDS OF THE YEAR 2025 8: Lesser-crested Tern (Dec 4, Devon) I was at Dawlish Warren before first light, waiting. There was a tangible buzz of excitement as the target bird suddenly appeared and fished in front of us before landing on a buoy and giving itself up. Pic: Peter Coe #ukbirding

MY TOP 10 BIRDS OF THE YEAR 2025 9: Hudsonian Godwit (May 21, Hampshire) A day trip to Titchfield Haven paid off when this rare visitor from North America flaunted itself right in front of the hide. Such grace and elegance as it performed for the snappers. Pic @somersetbirder.bsky.social #ukbirding

MY TOP 10 BIRDS OF THE YEAR 2025 10: Western Sandpiper (June 1, Ayrshire) Stopped off at Maidens on my way up to the Hebrides and had excellent views of this nearctic peep. I spent several hours appreciating its subtle identification features in beautiful surrounds. Pic: Steve Gantlett #ukbirding

What a way to finish! Sheringham's celebrity Eastern Black Redstart performed beautifully for a chilled yet appreciative audience along the sea front. Not a year tick, but a suitably glamorous rarity with which to conclude my Big Year odyssey. Time to rest? (Pic: @markgolley.bsky.social) #ukbirding

DECEMBER 2025 Megas just kept on coming in the final month of the year, beginning with my third UK Lesser-crested Tern (pictured) and culminating in a superb Eastern Black Redstart. In between, a surreal encounter with a Scops Owl, a stunning Bufflehead and a couple of white Snow Geese #ukbirding

2025 REVIEW - DECEMBER Rarity: Lesser-crested Tern Favourite: Scops Owl (Pic: Gary Watton) Also seen: Bufflehead, Snow Goose x 2, Eastern Black Redstart, Lesser Yellowlegs, Ring-necked Duck, Lesser Scaup, Pallid Harrier Year list: 367 #ukbirding

What a way to finish! Sheringham's celebrity Eastern Black Redstart performed beautifully for a chilled yet appreciative audience along the sea front. Not a year tick, but a suitably glamorous rarity with which to conclude my Big Year odyssey. Time to rest? (Pic: @markgolley.bsky.social) #ukbirding

One of my personal highlights from November was finally laying eyes on this ultra-elusive Hume's Warbler in Bedfordshire. Lawd knows how @oldcaley.bsky.social managed to get this shot! Apologies for not crediting on earlier post #ukbirding

NOVEMBER 2025 Migration-friendly conditions paved the way for a good month. An amazing Olive-backed Pipit experience with @manchesterbirder.bsky.social vied with a Pallid Swift double act in Kent for top billing. Not on any lists, but loved the Grackle. Patch tick Penduline Tit a bonus! #ukbirding

2025 REVIEW - NOVEMBER Rarity: Steppe Grey Shrike (Pic: @runnelstone.bsky.social) Favourite: Olive-backed Pipit Also seen: Pallid Swift (2), Lapland Bunting, Hume's Warbler, Dusky Warbler, Pallas's Warbler, Red-breasted Goose, Penduline Tit, Waxwing, Great-tailed Grackle Year list: 362 #ukbirding

My grandad said 'that's a funny looking robin' moments later is was looking at this magnificent red-flanked bluetail. Seen at nethy Bridge Scotland! The exact location is on birdguides!

Young friend of mine has just found this in the Nethybridge area of Highland this morning. No further details as yet #ukbirding

Have finally managed to see a Snow Goose I'm happy with! This adult white morph was always distant in the company of Whooper Swans in Lincolnshire this weekend. Also, White-fronts, a Tundra Bean and a few Bewick's. Cracking flock. Pic: @mattdenial.bsky.social #ukbirding

OCTOBER 2025 Shetland had a bit of everything - stormy weather, broken down car & a magnificent Siberian Thrush! Then saw my first Black-faced Bunting in 31 years, enjoyed superb views of Turkestan Shrike & had a great day on St Agnes for Mourning Dove, my only UK lifer of the year #ukbirding

2025 REVIEW - OCTOBER Rarity: Mourning Dove Favourite: Siberian Thrush (Pic: Penny Clarke) Also seen: Turkestan Shrike, Rustic Bunting, Black-faced Bunting, Rosefinch, Blue-winged Teal, American Pipit, Spotted Sandpiper, Isabelline Shrike, Arctic Redpoll, RB Fly, Pec Sand Year list: 350 #ukbirding

SEPTEMBER 2025 Fantastic day on the east coast, landing Issy Wheatear, Brown Shrike & RB Fly, superb Lsr Grey Shrike encounter at Winterton, Baird's & Buff-breast in south west, Sabs at Pendeen, Leach's on patch, Spotted Crake in Kent and Short-toed Lark to open Shetland account #ukbirding

2025 REVIEW - SEPTEMBER Rarity: Brown Shrike Favourite: Isabelline Wheatear (Pic: Tom Tams) Also seen: Lesser Grey Shrike, Red-breasted Flycatcher, Spotted Crake, Sabine's Gull, Baird's Sand, Red-necked Phal, Buff-breasted Sand, Leach's Petrel, Siberian Stonechat, ST Lark Year list: 338 #ukbirding

AUGUST 2025 A hectic month with some real quality thrown in. Scilly pelagic, Melodious Warbler landing on Scillonian, Wilson's Petrels seen from Cornish headlands, Zitter twitch, Marsh Sand in Devon, Black-winged Kite even closer to home, a birthday BW Pratincole & a super-showy Wryneck #ukbirding

2025 REVIEW - AUGUST Rarity: Black-winged Kite (Pic: Mike King) Favourite: Western Bonelli's Warbler Also seen: Zitting Cisticola, Wilson's Petrel (14), Marsh Sand, Black-winged Pratincole, Melodious Warbler, Wryneck, White-rumped Sand, LT Skua, Grey Phal, Great Shearwater Year list: 326 #ukbirding

JULY 2025 Busiest month of the cricket season for me, so limited opportunities for birding. My first UK Black Stork since 1988, a memorable afternoon with a Caspian Tern at Cley, Night Heron and White-winged Tern within an hour of home and launched my seawatching campaign in Cornwall #ukbirding

2025 REVIEW - JULY Rarity: Black Stork Favourite: Caspian Tern (Pic: Steve Gantlett) Also seen: Black-crowned Night Heron, White-winged Tern, Cory's Shearwater, Balearic Shearwater, Pectoral Sandpiper, White Stork Year list: 310 #ukbirding

The Aust Penduline Tits were still around today, and nice supporting cast in Avon of RB Merganser, Avocet and Purple Sandpiper. Happy Christmas to all our readers and thanks to those that send in records. avonbirding.blogspot.com

Great recent article here packed with useful information, references and images of this distinctive (sub-)species. bsky.app/profile/gpcb... #RareBirdsUK

JUNE 2025 a huge effort at catching up in what was arguably my best month! Epic trip to Scotland (Ptarmigan, Corncrake, eagles etc), Little Bittern on Scilly, singing Blyth's Reed Warbler, magnificent Monty's, Desert Wheatear 10 minutes from home and Collared Pratincole for my 300th bird #ukbirding

2025 REVIEW - JUNE Rarity: Song Sparrow (Pic: Rob Little) Favourite: Little Bittern Also seen: Western Sand, Desert Wheatear, Pacific Golden Plover, Ortolan, Iberian Chiff Chaff, Collared Pratincole, Blyth's Reed Warbler, Montagu's Harrier, RB Shrike, Marsh Warbler, Quail Year list: 302 #ukbirding

Remember what Santa brought us last year? Here's hoping history repeats itself! Merry Christmas everybody #ukbirding

JUNE 2025 a huge effort at catching up in what was arguably my best month! Epic trip to Scotland (Ptarmigan, Corncrake, eagles etc), Little Bittern on Scilly, singing Blyth's Reed Warbler, magnificent Monty's, Desert Wheatear 10 minutes from home and Collared Pratincole for my 300th bird #ukbirding

2025 REVIEW - JUNE Rarity: Song Sparrow (Pic: Rob Little) Favourite: Little Bittern Also seen: Western Sand, Desert Wheatear, Pacific Golden Plover, Ortolan, Iberian Chiff Chaff, Collared Pratincole, Blyth's Reed Warbler, Montagu's Harrier, RB Shrike, Marsh Warbler, Quail Year list: 302 #ukbirding

APRIL 2025 A really tough time following the death of my father was made bearable by being out in nature. Many common migrants found close to home, plus a superb Whiskered Tern in Somerset. Self-found Hoopoe, smart Woodchat, fleeting American Golden Plover all encountered on south coast #ukbirding

2025 REVIEW - APRIL Rarity: Broad-billed Sandpiper Favourite: Subalpine Warbler (Pic: Gary Watton) Also seen: Whiskered Tern, Woodchat Shrike, Savi's Warbler, Azorean Yellow-legged Gull, Temminck's Stint, American Golden Plover, Osprey, Ringed Ouzel Year list: 265 #ukbirding

2025 - MAY Family matters and a broken down car restricted opportunity, but I still managed to muster some quality additions, notably Hudsonian Godwit. Self-found Red-footed Falcon and Pom Skua were satisfying, Great Reed Warbler & Spot Sand in Cambs & a dash to Devon for a pair of Stilts #ukbirding

2025 REVIEW - MAY Ratity: Hudsonian Godwit. Favourite: American Black Tern. Also seen: Dotterel. Purple Heron, Great Reed Warbler. Spotted Sand, Red-footed Falcon, Black-winged Stilt, Bluethroat, Pom Skua, Roseate Tern, Honey Buzzard, Nightjar, Turtle Dove. Wood Warbler. Year list: 284. #ukbirding

APRIL 2025 A really tough time following the death of my father was made bearable by being out in nature. Many common migrants found close to home, plus a superb Whiskered Tern in Somerset. Self-found Hoopoe, smart Woodchat, fleeting American Golden Plover all encountered on south coast #ukbirding

2025 REVIEW - APRIL Rarity: Broad-billed Sandpiper Favourite: Subalpine Warbler (Pic: Gary Watton) Also seen: Whiskered Tern, Woodchat Shrike, Savi's Warbler, Azorean Yellow-legged Gull, Temminck's Stint, American Golden Plover, Osprey, Ringed Ouzel Year list: 265 #ukbirding

MARCH 2025 Picked up the pace as spring arrived, staging a hugely enjoyable trip to Ireland, where I found 3 Cackling Geese and caught up with the long-staying DC Cormorant. Bagged some early migrants, twitched Black-throated Thrush & had a memorable encounter with Forster's Tern at Arne #ukbirding

2025 REVIEW - MARCH Rarity: Double-crested Cormorant Favourite: Forster's Tern (pic Dave Ward) Also seen: Black-throated Thrush, Black Duck, Rosy Starling, Little Bunting, Hoopoe, Cackling Goose (3), White-tailed Eagle, Stone Curlew, Rock Dove. Year list: 232 #ukbirding