I don’t get to London very often, but when I do I make sure to pass by the International Brigades Memorial. “They went because their open eyes could see no other way”.

This has got to be a contender for the field guide of the smallest geographical area going. Unless the Vatican City have anything in print…

Having a Woodcock zoom over my head daytime on my own road certainly wasn’t on my 2026 Bingo card. Stirchley throws up a good surprise sometimes

Some nice incidental birding today. Kingfisher with catch on the Bourne at Pershore Road this morning. Good numbers of Shoveler, Wigeon and Gadwall at (re-opened!) Edgbaston Pool.

Time to put an end to this madness.

The joy of bi-lingual birding: brilliant article on Black Redstarts by Dr Bernd Nicolai. Lots of insights that are of use to urban birders looking for this species in our cities.

Indeed!

Heavy fog and a record low water level at Edg Res this morning w/ @robhemming25.bsky.social A magnificent patch tick for me in form of 8 Rock pipits on the shore beneath the old Tower Ballroom.

Super breezy at Gibraltar Point today with @westmidbirdclub.bsky.social Highlights were RT Diver, Curlew Sand and Knot.

A chance find and lovely addition to my New Naturalists collection. Clifford & Rosemary Ellis’s cover designs remain unmatched.

Productive day out to St Aidans with @westmidbirdclub.bsky.social Highlights were BN Grebe, Black Tern, Spoonbill, Whinchat and this gang of Yellow Wags.

Team Edgbaston away at Walton Hill for this rendition of the #westmidsalldayer A superb Goshawk flyby puts us on 52. @thehairycrisp.bsky.social @robhemming25.bsky.social

When interests collide (birding x anarchism)

A lovely surprise on my walk back from work: a Hummingbird Hawkmoth. Busy feeding and darting about amongst the flowers. An uncommon sight in Selly Park.

Birmingham City 2 Black Redstart July pic Great! @westmidbirdclub.bsky.social @ecorecord.bsky.social @ukrbbp.bsky.social #birds #wmbirds

Overdue visit to the patch. 50+ Swift, 100+ House Martin, 4 Yellow Wag, Swallow and Hobby were a good result.

Preach!

Was sat contemplating on how nice the trunk of this Dawn Redwood looked, when this Treecreeper appeared out of a crevace. I think it agreed.

7 Ravens at Selly Park Rec this morning, a new site record count for me. Good to see them thriving here.

Birmingham, it’s official: today is Flying Ant Day.

Hummingbird Hawkmoth in our garden this eve. B30 @ecorecord.bsky.social

Brilliant day out to Upton Fen and Strumpshaw Fen, with @britishdragonflies.bsky.social Lots of firsts for me today. Highlights were Hen Harrier, Crane, Smew, Fen Orchid, Norfolk Hawker, Scarce Chaser and the mighty Swallowtail!

The dreaded “Day-after Twitch”! No sign of the Woodchat Shrike at Doxey Marsh. 2 x Wood Sand was a decent consolation prize though.

***GIVEAWAY*** This signed/stamped Advance Readers Copy of TIGERS BETWEEN EMPIRES, forthcoming Nov 2025 from @fsgbooks.bsky.social! Like=1 entry, Share=1 entry, Like + Share=2 entries. Will randomly select winner on Friday, May 23, 2025. US addresses only. Preorder info: shorturl.at/OXr0Z #booksky

Popped a bird box in the garden the other year, probably in an unwise position as no birds ever took to it. Today I discovered that it has been claimed by a swarm of Tree Bumblebees. How appropriate!

Another fun #westmidsalldayer came to close yesterday, with Team Edgbaston finishing up on 60 (if you include two bits of plastic). A true urban birding marathon with @robhemming25.bsky.social also turned up 3 badgers, 1 skinny dipper and Rob’s pet Pike. Roll on Autumn!

Good luck to all sites and participants of tomorrow's Spring edition of the #westmidsalldayer - clear skies, NW winds and glorious sunshine wouldn't be my conditions of choice. With a few regulars missing I will be doing Middleton Lakes - please message me any notable sightings

Good days birding at Frampton Marsh today in glorious sunshine with @westmidbirdclub.bsky.social Highlights were Spoonbill, Green-winged Teal, Whimbrel and Marsh Harrier. #UKBirding

Open day at the BMAG Collection Center yesterday. Those Egyptians sure knew their birds of prey.

Frogspawn getting active in the sunshine in the garden pond.

What an opportunity for young people! Well done BTO, more initiatives like this are sorely needed.

My all time favourite author. Do yourself a favour and get stuck into his work. “The Death Ship” is a good place to start.

People in your community (Yes the UK too) are being disappeared. You need to skill up and learn what to do when it happens and more than that, start developing communal links with the folks most at risk. This isn't a "when fascism happens" thing. It's a NOW thing.

Trip out the the Forest of Dean with @westmidbirdclub.bsky.social today. Rubbish weather but great company. Hawfinch and Crossbill were todays highlights.

Saw a Peregrine do a shite on someone from a great height today. Magic.

I heartily endorse this book, read the German version a few years back. Reast in Peace Lucio

Dread at the Controls (Rock n Roll Public Library THREAD) ▶️🇯🇲🔊 youtu.be/Fdg0SdMlG_w

Been seeing more and more Ravens in south Brum over the last few years. Very heartening to have a pair nosing around the parkland on my way to work this year. #pedestrianbirding

A nice write-up of Babiker Yahia’s plea to remove cars from a section of Highgate next to a playground where dangerous driving is rife. www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midland...

Today is a good opportunity to learn about Porajmos, the Romani Holocaust. Sadly still very relevant in these times across Europe. Never again! en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Romani_...

A brisk walk around Edg Res this morning. Highlights were 27 Tufties, 8 L Grebe and Treecreeper. And arguably one of the best views of Brum 👊

A tight work schedule has meant I couldnt get a start on the Year List till now. Good extended mooch across Sandwell Valley. Highlights were Goldeneye and the remaining 3 Barnacles from the local feral flock.

Don’t usually do new year’s resolutions, but I’m keen to do more drawing this year. Here’s a start anyway.

Had a great family break in Berlin over Christmas and New Years. No intentional birding but did come across Goshawk, Kestrel, White-fronts and Bean Geese. Plus red squirrels and some tame WildcBoar.

I think Edgbaston reservoir's year list is done. It's a hard place to get anything, so we've done OK by our standards. 92 species across the year. Highlights: Red-throated Diver Osprey Ring Ouzel Black-necked Grebe Red Kite Common Scoter Brambling Kittiwake Happy New Year everyone! #ukbirding

I guess, maybe, direct action gets the goods?

Great day out to Parkgate and Burton Mere with @westmidbirdclub.bsky.social today. Highlights being SEO, Greenshank and a stonking male Hen Harrier.

Little Egret at Cannon Hill Park. Still a nice bird to find in an urban setting.

Welcome to urban birding.