The Early Birder

Long-tailed Shrike

2026-09-05T06:58:15.744+01:00

There had been a really rare bird around the Gloucestershire Oxfordshire border for a few weeks, but it was just a little too far for me to make a visit to see it. Then one weekend I was helping my daughter move her belongings into her new place in Bristol, and it got me looking at the map and thinking that I could potentially "drop in" on my journey home. I was certainly glad that I did, as I managed to get some brilliant views of the Long-tailed Shrike, that is only the third ever bird recorded in the UK. Both others were seen in the North of Scotland, and one just weeks before. So this was an first in England and one of the best birds I've ever been fortunate to see with my own eyes. Well worth the extra few miles on the way back home.

You can see my video footage of the bird here:

Long-tailed Shrike

Grasshopper Warbler

2026-08-21T16:38:53.000+01:00

I had a really nice walk in the Goyt Valley recently, and on a side of the valley that I don't usually visit. It turned out to be a really productive walk, with plenty of birds and butterflies to see. There was a Red Kite over and plenty of Kestrels around. Stonechats were plentiful, with lots of juveniles on the walls and ferns.

I did pick up on a bird that I was not expecting to hear, and that was a Grasshopper Warbler. These birds are not often easy to see, as they like to sing from within the grasses and bushes. This one however, kindly came out to show itself for me, and I was delighted as I'd not seen one all year. I had heard one other, but on that occasion it stayed hidden. These are great looking birds and another of our Summer migrating species. I was really pleased to see this one, and on a lovely sunny day.

There were also some really good looking butterflies around this day, with some Clouded Yellow, and my first ever Dark Green Fritillary. It's a stunning butterfly. (see below)

You can come with me and see my travels here on my YouTube channel.

Grasshopper Warbler

Dark Green Fritillary

Small Skipper

Red Kite

Stonechat

Norfolk Birding (again)

2026-08-07T15:29:47.469+01:00

A long weekend at my parents always gives me the opportunity to look for birds that I don't really get on my doorstep. This visit was no different, with some really good views of two Glossy Ibis and loads of Bearded Tits. Add to that the waders and sea birds such as Curlew, Lapwings, Dunlin, Ringed Plovers, Gannets and Terns. The weather was very good on the first day, and then very cloudy on the second, but I made the most of both days and managed to capture a good collection of species. I even got some decent video too.

You can watch my latest adventure here:

Bearded Tit

Curlew

Glossy Ibis

Linnet

Little Egret

Sedge Warbler

Wren

Macclesfield Forest

2026-07-31T16:31:16.209+01:00

I had a lovely walk around the foothills of Macclesfield Forest recently. I managed to find a few things that I wasn't expecting to see, and adversely didn't see some things that I wanted to see. The good weather continued though, and that is always a great to help to me when I get out.

The reservoir edge had a Grey Heron, Common Sandpiper, Mandarin, Grey Wagtail and lots of the smaller species in the trees surrounding it. There were some brilliant butterflies, and a first sighting for me of a Purple Hairstreak butterfly. While I was wathcing this, a juvenile Common Redstart hopped into view, which in turn alerted me to a Common Sandpiper. It was just a lovely morning and very relaxing.

There was so much more to see, which you can see on my YouTube video below, and if you do like this sort of thing I'd really like you to Subscribe so that you can see more of my content and walks.

You can watch my recent visit here:

Common Sandpiper

Goldcrest

Grey Heron

Long-tailed Tit

Common Redstart

Ringlet Butterfly

Purple Hairstreak Butterfly

Red Admiral

Bempton Cliffs

2026-07-25T07:22:16.924+01:00

I always look forward to a visit to RSPB Bempton, on the East Yorkshire coast. It's a chance to get up close to our sea birds in their nesting habitat, and not looking at some floating dots in the distance. It's even better when the weather is good, and it was another hot one. The birds didn't disappoint either, with hundreds and thousands of Gannets, Guillemots, Razorbills, Kittiwakes, Fulmars and Puffins all within touching distance as they went about their business of raising their young on the cliffs. The sights, sounds and smells are a real privilege to witness. I recommend it to anyone who has an interest in wildlife and even those who don't.

You can see highlights of my trip here:

Fulmar

Gannet

Kittiwake

Puffins

Razorbills

Western Reef Heron

2026-07-17T14:28:41.727+01:00

A few weeks ago, I went in search of a bird that was a first for the UK. The Western Reef Heron had been moving around the Welsh coast for two or three weeks at this stage. Starting off down South and then moving to the North West, before spending a few days in Conwy. It was too tempting for me not to go and see if I could find it.

It was an early start to get to the RSPB reserve where it was last reported, but it wasn't there. Word came through that it was on the estuary a few miles away. I soon, got my binoculars on it, before setting up my tripod and watching for a couple of hours. An amazing looking bird that usually resides in West Africa, it was similar in size to a Little Egret, but a rather nice looking blue colour instead of white. I was delighted to get it on the list.😀😀

You can see my escapade here:

Western Reef Heron

Pied Flycatchers

2026-07-02T18:14:32.190+01:00

I spent a morning watching a pair of Pied Flycatchers feed their young recently. I got myself tucked out of the way, so as not to disturb the birds, and let my long lens do the hard work. It was a lovely warm sunny morning, and it was a real joy and privilege to be able to spend time with these amazing little birds. I hope to head back in a few weeks to check up on them, but if they've fledged it could be a tricky task to track them down.

You can see my morning with the Pied Flycatchers here:

Male Pied Flycatcher

Female Pied Flycatcher

The Temperature's Rising

2026-06-20T06:59:04.111+01:00

It was a very hot day, so I took myself to the Goyt Valley, where I was hoping that the tree cover and elevation may give me some respite. It did to a degree, but it was still a scorcher. Thankfully the birds were very active, as they have to feed their young no matter what the weather is doing. It was a very fruitful visit, with lots of new in Spotted Flycatchers, Pied Flycatchers, Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Redstarts, Tawny Owls and so much more. Everywhere had something to look at and watch. Even a little Goldcrest came nice and close for me, and these are not that easy to pin down.

You can see a more detailed version of my trip here:

Goldcrest

Great Spotted Woodpecker

Pied Flycatcher

Redstart

Spotted Flycatcher

Swallow

Spotted Flycatchers are back!

2026-06-05T10:00:00.000+01:00

I'd started my search for Spotted Flycatchers a few weeks ago. I knew that I was a bit early, but a bit like Christmas, I get very excited by these birds and the apprehension and build up to them arriving has me looking earlier each year. I am usually then disappointed, but I know that it's just a matter of time.

Thankfully, there are plenty of other birds around to keep my spirits up. Birds like the Redstart, and on this occasion some Tawny Owls. Anyway, I did eventually find my Spotted Flycatchers, and I'll be making regular visits to see how they're getting on over the next few months.

You can see my latest adventures here:

Spotted Flycatcher

Tawny Owlet

Common Redstart

Norfolk Birding

2026-05-29T07:24:56.908+01:00

The weather was not so great on day two and three, but at least it didn't rain. I wandered to the sea and was delighted to see good numbers of Little Terns going past. These were joined by Common and Sandwich Terns. I had a distant Whimbrel on Arnold's Marsh, and the odd Bearded Tit in the reeds, but it certainly seemed a little quieter.

That said, it certainly got a lot better, when news of a Hoopoe came through, and just around the corner from my parents too. I was lucky enough to get a couple of shots of it on a roof, before it made off out of view. What a special bird.

You can view my latest adventures here:

Hoopoe

Little Tern

Sedge Warbler

Wheatear

Whimbrel

Bearded Tit

Bar-tailed Godwit

Wall Brown

North Norfolk Birding

2026-05-23T08:52:45.352+01:00

I had a brilliant Bank Holiday at my parents in Norfolk recently. It's possibly the best time of year to visit this marshy coast line, as the reeds, pools, marshes and sea hold so many different varieties of wildlife all at once. Sedge Warblers were in abundance, singing constantly from their chosen bush or reedbed, while the accompanying Reed and Cetti's Warblers, Whitethroat, and Lesser Whitethroats all added to the cacophony.

There were plenty of waders on show too, with the Redshank particularly active as they defended their territories. These were supported by good numbers of Avocet, Ringed and Little Ringed Plover, Bar and Black-tailed Godwit, Dunlin, Knot, Avocet and Curlew. Add in raptors such as Marsh and Hen Harrier and it really was a bird field weekend.

You can see my latest wanderings here:

Lesser Whitethroat

Little Ringed Plover

Garganey

Redshank

Reed Warbler

Ringed Plover

Sedge Warbler

Wood Sandpiper

Reservoir Woods

2026-05-15T07:00:00.000+01:00

I took a walk around one of my favourite reservoirs and it's woodland last week, and it was alive with birdsong and wildlife. There was plenty to see, even if some of my subjects didn't make it easy. Their song always gave them away, and helped me locate them.

There were Pied Flycatchers and Common Redstarts, plus some bonus birds like the Garden Warbler, Sparrowhawk and Common Sandpipers. It was a lovely sunny day, and the temperature lifted nicely too.

I found some nesting birds, and others in good locations. So that all bodes well for when I return in a few weeks time, to hopefully find some of them feeding young.

Common Sandpiper

Great Crested Grebe

Mandarin Duck

Nuthatch

Pied Flycatcher

Common Redstart

Sparrowhawk

Whinchat on the Patch

2026-05-08T06:00:00.001+01:00

I had one of those days that you dream about when walking around your local patch last week. I always walk around in hope of finding something good, and usually go away satisfied that I've seen much the same as the previous day, and if the sun was out too, then that's a real bonus. But this day I turned up and straight away I heard a Lesser Whitethroat singing in the hedgerow. A great little bird, that's not often that easy to see, and very rare on my patch.

Then I continued my walk, with all the usual suspects singing or in position, until I spotted a bird jumping around the top of the hedge. I thought it might be a Stonechat, but then I saw the stripe over it's eye, and knew instantly that this was a Whinchat. A much prized bird for me, and I was absolutely delighted. So much so that I went back again that afternoon to see it again, and this time it was even closer and the right side of the sun. Superb!! It was still there the next day, but much further away and a scope was required.

You can see my latest wanderings here:

Lesser Whitethroat

Stonechat

Whinchat

Summer Migrants

2026-05-01T00:30:00.002+01:00

This years migration is well under way. I've made several visits to one of my favourite places nearby in the Goyt Valley, and I've not been disappointed. Pied Flycatchers, Redstarts and Tree Pipits are back where they belong and I've had fun trying to locate them, with varying degrees of success. So far, I have only located one or two male Pied Flycatchers. The females are always a little later, so I will have to go back to find them. I've also only found a couple of male Redstarts, but they are great little birds, and add so much colour and vibrancy to any day. Tree Pipits are not so colourful, but they make up for that with their song. All in all, the woodlands have a lot more sound and colour at the moment, and it's most welcome 😀

You can see my latest wanderings here:

Pied Flycatcher (male)

Common Redstart

Tree Pipit

Norfolk Birding

2026-04-24T06:40:00.001+01:00

Still in Norfolk, and I was on the hunt for Twite once again. They gave me the slip on the first day, but I managed to find one at least on the second day. Really tricky little birds to find and see. The area where they were though meant I could see lots of other really good birds on the way. Lots of waders, such as Redshank, Curlew, Ringed Plover, Lapwing and Oystercatcher kept my walk both colourful and vocal.

The odd Marsh Harrier drifted over a few times, and Little and Great White Egrets were on the waters edges and close to the reeds. Although the sun was out, it wasn't particularly warm, but that hadn't put off a few Swallows and Sand Martins that passed through unfazed. A spoonbill appeared from nowhere, which was handy as I wanted that on my year list. A Wheatear hopped onto a post and looked like it was enjoying the sunshine, while in the Blackthorn were a pair of Blackcaps, with the male singing and giving away their cover.

You can watch my latest adventure here:

Female Blackcap, with a rusty brown head

Male Blackcap

Gadwall

Spoonbill

Twite

A distant Wheatear

Kelling Heath

2026-04-18T06:39:00.003+01:00

A long Easter weekend break in Norfolk meant that I had the opportunity to add some special birds to my year list, and all from one site. The heath at Kelling holds a couple of really good birds, but they are not always that easy to see. Spring is the perfect time to catch a glimpse, as they are more active and showy while they are setting up territories and nest building. The two birds I most wanted to see were the Dartford Warbler and the Woodlark.

If you can't see a bird, the next best thing is to hear it, which can at least give you an idea where it may be. That was how I located both these birds. I had wandered around for a while with no sign, until I heard their songs. That put me on the right track and eventually I spotted them. I love to see these birds, as they are not widespread across the country and so gives me an extra buzz when I do connect with them.

You can watch my adventures here:

Dartford Warbler

Woodlark

Not to be left out, the Yellowhammer was also high on my list to see. I really struggle these days to see these birds. They seem to be having a really hard time, and declining in their usual areas, so it was great to see and hear these lovely little birds.

Yellowhammer

The Wirral

2026-04-09T15:15:00.005+01:00

The sun came out and I made an early start on the Wirral. I was hoping to see my first Wheatear of the year, but that didn't prove to be successful. However, as always in this area, there was plenty to see and I went home happy.

Starting at Burton Marsh, there were plenty of Egrets (Great White and Little) to see. A Marsh Harrier flew over and Chiffchaffs, Song Thrush, Meadow Pipits and Reed Buntings provided a nice background chorus as I walked the path. There were still hundreds, if not thousands, of Pink-footed Geese out on the Marsh. Moving on to RSPB Burton Mere, I heard and then saw my first Willow Warbler of the year. Other firsts for 2026 included Spotted Redshanks and Med Gulls. All in all a very nice morning out in some very nice weather for a change.

Come with me on my walk here:

Avocet

Black-tailed Godwit

Lapwing

Long-tailed Tit

Marsh Harrier

Mediterranean Gull (bottom centre) Common Gull to its left

Ruff

Water Vole

Willow Warbler

Kingfisher

2026-03-27T16:27:00.010+00:00

A couple of weeks ago I spent a day in a Kingfisher hide. Yes, a hide set up specifically to photograph these wonderful but hard to spot birds. I arrived at the site in Shropshire and was in place by 8:30am. After that it was a case of getting comfortable and being ready for the bird when it turned up. It wasn't a long wait, and within just 15 minutes a male had been in and landed on the perch before diving to catch a fish. After that he can every hour, before tailing off the visits in the afternoon.

It was a very special day and a very special bird, one of my favourites, and I managed to get my best every shots too. Normally there are branches in the way, or it is a long way in the distance. That day was just magical.

Come and relive my day here:

Patch Birding

2026-03-21T07:04:00.005+00:00

The weather has turned recently (for the better) and it is beginning to feel as though Spring is finally on the way. The sun has been out and the temperature has risen a little. I've noticed the Blackthorn is in blossom, along with cherry and the Magnolia. Chiffchaffs are here and singing and even some butterflies are on the wing again. There is light at the end of what feels like a very long winter.

I've taken some very nice walks on my local patch at Woodford, where there is a real cross over of the seasons, with winter Thrushes still around and Daffodils and Summer migrants singing. It has lifted my mood and put a real spring in my step. Add into that mix an early afternoon Barn Owl, and you can imagine my excitement. Can't wait to see what the next few weeks bring in.

Come with me on my trip around my local patch here:

The Barn Owl came out to enjoy the late afternoon sunshine.

Curlew

Redwing

Ring-necked Parakeet

Stonechat (female)

Stonechat (male)

Dippers

2026-03-13T20:58:00.008+00:00

I spent some time recently looking for and checking out the local Dippers. I've not been to see them since before Christmas, but I knew that at this time of year, they should be pairing up and looking for nest sites. Always a good bird to see, but not always the easiest, as they are spooked easily and they only need sight of you before they're off. So it was no surprise that on my first visit I didn't find one. I went back the next morning and I found a pair, and even better, I was able to watch as one was plucking moss from the rocks and taking it away to a potential nest site, which was great news. I then had the pleasure of watching and listening to one sing as it stood on a rock in the brook. Truly magical, and I look forward to following their progress in the coming weeks and months.

You can see my Dipper adventures here on my YouTube video:

Dipper

This male Pheasant kept me company

A pair of Red Kites flew over, but the light was poor for good shots.

Lancashire Birding

2026-03-07T07:40:00.004+00:00

I took an early morning trip to the North West coast near Southport recently, as there were a number of good birds in the area, and there are always good numbers of geese and swans to see here too. I started at RSPB Hesketh Outmarsh, where I had good views of many Tree Sparrows in the hedges, and Whooper Swans in the fields. Then I had a Merlin overhead trying to catch another bird. Moving on to RSPB Marshside where I was looking for a Smew that wasn't there. I did find a Scaup though, which is not very common here, so that was a bonus.

There were hundreds of Lapwings and Geese on the Marsh. These were mainly Pink-footed, but there were lots of Canada and Greylags too. Oystercatchers, Black-tailed Godwits, Tufted Ducks, Wigeon and Shelduck made for a good supporting cast.

I moved on to Southport where I was fortunate enough to watch a flock of 30 or so Twite. This is a bird that I've really struggled to find over the years, but was in the right place at the right time. So that concluded a very good morning.

You can see more of my trip here:

Grey Heron

Pink-footed Goose

Pintail

Poor, distant images of the Scaup

Shelduck

Distant possible Snow Goose

Whooper Swans

Norfolk Coast part 2

2026-02-27T14:09:00.007+00:00

Day 2 of the Norfolk trip included a terrific little bird that had been around since before Christmas, and was high on my list of birds to see. Sheringham has a good record of over-wintering Black Redstarts, but this year they had one that that was of Eastern race that is usually found in Asia, rather than Europe.

It had been a very wet day, and you can tell by the state of the poor thing. Really bedraggled and looking rather sorry for itself. That said, it was feeding well and no worse off for the soaking it had endured. A great bird to eventually see.

Click here to see my vlog of day 2 of my trip:

Eastern Black Redstart (rather wet)

Little Egret

Meadow Pipit

Oystercatcher

Norfolk Coast

2026-02-20T13:22:00.000+00:00

We had a good weekend in Norfolk with my parents recently. There were plenty of birds to see and lots to add to the 2026 year list. Cley is always where I gravitate towards and there is always something to see at all times of the year. From the thousands of geese overhead and in the fields to wintering wildfowl and waders. This trip was no different, and we even had the pleasure of the sun joining us, although it was bitterly cold.

Highlights on day one were really good views of a Common Snipe and Redshank from Bishop's hide. Avocets had returned from their wintering grounds and were resting up. Hundreds if not thousands of Lapwings were across the marsh, and Marsh Harriers were doing their usual fly-bys to put everything up in the air. It was a great start to the weekend, and day 2 was just as fruitful. Part 2 to follow.

Click here to see my vlog of day 1 of my trip:

Avocets in a line, with a Lapwing in flight (left) and also a Black-tailed Godwit in the group.

Brent Geese

Common Redshank

Common Snipe keeping a look out before dozing off again.

Burton Mere Wetlands

2026-02-12T19:34:00.000+00:00

On what was yet another cold grey and overcast day. Lisa and I brightened the mood by visiting RSPB Burton Mere for our winter fix of water birds. There was a good variety as always here, and we were greeted in the car park by the sound of overflying Pink-footed Geese. There was lots around and some good birds added to the Year List, with the likes of Knot, Curlew, Green Sandpiper and Dunlin.

The highlight was a Great White Egret dropping just metres away from us while standing at the Bridge Screen.

You can see more of our visit here:

Great White Egret

Dunlin

Knot and Black-tailed Godwit

Redshank

Long-tailed Tit

Mallard

Teal

Redesmere WeBS Count

2026-01-31T07:11:00.001+00:00

On a grey and murky day at Redesmere I carried out the WeBS monthly bird count. It was a pretty quiet affair to be honest, with the usual suspects of mainly Canada Geese, Mallards and Coots. Sprinkled in were a fly over Great White Egret, a Little Egret, some Goldeneye and a few species of gulls. The majority of the gulls were Black-headed, but there was one Common Gull and a couple of Lesser Black-backed Gulls. Always nice to see something not so common here.

You can see more of my sightings and here:

Common Gull

Lesser Black-backed Gull