Great views of the Red-necked Grebe at Ardleigh Reservoir this morning.

Two owls at The Naze this morning. Long-eared found by @birdinghertsessex.bsky.social, then Short-eared I found over Walton Hall Marsh.

Pallas’s Warbler at The Naze this morning.

I snuck into Suffolk yesterday for a look at the Brown Shrike. It was always just a bit distant for my camera, but a cracking bird to see.

Black Terns and Whinchat at Abberton today.

Marbled White and Silver-washed Fritillary in Chalkney Wood today. Neither of them wanted to pose with their wings open.

3 purring Turtle Doves found on my farm survey this morning. Within walking distance of home but I wouldn’t have known about them if I didn’t do these surveys. One sat on a pylon briefly but was a bit distant for photos.

Egg for breakfast for this Raven today, just a bit too distant for decent photos.

Great to catch up with a couple of Turtle Doves in north Essex today.

Dawn chorus at Abberton was hard work but we managed to get all the expected species. I had put moth traps out but didn’t expect anything as it was so cold, so Fox Moth was a pleasant surprise.

Only a very brief glimpse of Hawfinches for me this morning but a Mistle Thrush was more obliging.

My pre-breakfast efforts this morning.

I’m enjoying my pre-breakfast strolls at the moment, I wouldn’t have predicted having a flock of 16 Hawfinches just down the road. A bit too distant for my camera but I’m not complaining.

One of the Black-necked Grebes at Abberton this morning. Coming along nicely.

I spent a couple of hours in Holbrook churchyard yesterday afternoon hoping to photograph Hawfinches. I saw 2 but failed to get any shots. A flyover Peregrine was some compensation.

I’m not sure how long my thrill of seeing Nuthatches in the garden will last but it’s day 4 and I still get excited.

I thought I should set up a new feeding station for my new friend. He rewarded me by bringing a mate along. I also spotted a pair of Bullfinches at the bottom of the garden.

Great excitement in the Moore household (well, it’s only me here at the moment). Our first garden Nuthatch - it has only taken 27 years.

WeBS count at Abberton yesterday included 7,967 Coots, 4,074 Tufted Ducks, 2,041 Lapwings, 1,480 Pochard and 1,360 Teal. Total was 20,025 and we don’t count gulls.

I’m not too bothered about year lists but I thought I would pop over to East Mersea for the Shore Lark and Snow Bunting this morning.

Before the helicopter.

Pale-bellied Brent at Copt Hall. Well its probably in there somewhere, the flock had just been flushed by a low-flying helicopter.

It’s surprising what you miss while taking photos - I didn’t notice the fish until I got home!

Black Redstart still at Brightlingsea. Couldn’t find the male.

The 5 Bewick’s Swans at Abberton were easier to count than the 4,991 Tufted Ducks and 3,928 Coots!

Snow Bunting at the Naze this morning and one of the two Redwings in our garden when I got home.

7 Black-necked Grebes at Abberton still

Lovely sunrise at The Naze this morning and a Pallas’s Warbler before 8am made it a good start to the day.

I’ve had worse mornings at The Naze. I hope these two don’t meet!

Today we went to the excellent Paul Green Wildwire exhibition in Woodbridge. We were delighted to give a new home to this Bearded Reedling.