randombirder

A Sunday mid-morning dash up to North Wales for the Western Reef Heron that was sedately preening on the far side of the channel opposite Caernarfon Castle. Not ideal seeing it in trees but can't complain that this first for Britain was relatively easy to connect with and always nice to be back to the place of many childhood holidays. I didn't spend too long there given the time required to get back but a stop at one of my favourite places near Capel Curig provided good views of male common redstart , pied flycatcher and wood warbler . Swallow Falls just down the road is always worth a visit.

3rd May 2026 - Frampton Marsh A weekend taking in a couple of RSPBs finest reserves. On Saturday 3rd May, a trip to Frampton Marsh with Tonguey, where we attempted to wring out something interesting. But for a modest scattering of waders, it was a decent start to the southbound migration season. My second American golden plover of the week was still present on the grassland that took a little bit of time to track down. A nice bird although it wasn't a gaudy summer plumage male like the Old Hall individual. Other wading birds were represented by a decent haul of little ringed plover , around 20 dunlin , three whimbrel and a little stint . A spoonbill was also present on the grassland. 4th May 2026 - Rainham Marshes Then on Sunday 4th, a real treat as I decided to head down to Rainham Marshes. It felt great being back while also considering why it had taken so long for a repeat visit as it is only an hour away from home. I guess the unavoidable journey along the M25 is partly resp...

A decent end-of-April push for incoming migrant birds topped by a trip of dotterel in Gamlingay on the 24th April found by Mark Thomas. On my visit, seven birds were present viewed distantly from one of the convenient parking areas but numbers fluctuated during their two-week stay with a maximum of 13 observed across this period.  The weather was glorious this weekend so a trip to Wilstone on the 25th, a rare visit to my former local patch produced a nice range of species including the long-staying lesser scaup , a first-summer little gull ,  cuckoo , garden warbler and a  common sandpiper . On the 26th, a visit to Ouse Fen RSPB produced another nice selection of birds including three bearded tit , crane , 13 hobby , great egret and a cuckoo .

Making the most of an extended Easter break, I chose to spend time around a few sites local to home (including the patch), the furthest of which was Fowlmere RSPB, a convenient 20 minute drive into Cambridgeshire. There is something uniquely satisfying about discovering wildlife within the local area. After such a wet and at times bleak winter, a couple of days of warm sunshine was most welcome and hopefully a precursor to an agreeable spring and summer. Having returned from Albania the day before, it was surprising to see temperatures lift to 26C on Wednesday 8th. And when the weather improves, nature responds. So instead of travelling further afield, the day (8th) started with a walk around the patch, that produced a surprise sedge warbler singing from the depths of a scrubby area at Weston Hills NR. A willow warbler attempted song along the hedgerow opposite Bush Wood, a late fieldfare flew north, a raven flew low west, and three each of corn bunting and grey partridge were pre...

Back at Terminal 5 making the most of my Amex Companion Voucher bagging return flights to Tirana for £9 return. Customary views over Terminal 5 from the airplane departing from Runway 27R. The flight (and the same for the return leg) was really enjoyable with great views over the Alps en route to southwest Europe. Arriving at Tirana Airport for a few days in a new country, picking up the hire car and immediately heading south for a night's stay at the charming town of Berat. The view from the hotel room window was spectacular. The weather was quite cool, to be expected for early April but rain that threatened to dampen the day thankfully stayed away. The town was also relatively quiet, with the anticipated tourist rush presumed for later on in the season. And for this reason, spending time here was extremely relaxing. The town is easy to navigate on foot, crossing Gorica Bridge and strolling along the River Osum passing a range of quaint restaurants and bars. The backdrop of snow-c...