Ben Miller

Relaxed start to 2026, with the five Tundra Bean Geese still present at Tring #Hertsbirds

The Egyptian Fruit Bats in Cyprus are much lager, and are Europe’s largest native bat @birdguides.bsky.social

Sibe Ruby? Nice. But surely Sibe Thrush would have been more topical, in celebration of @hobhole.bsky.social ‘s amazing find on Shetland yesterday? #ItsJustABird

eBird Checklist - 10 Sep 2025 - Gambell (general area) - 39 species (+2 other taxa) Submitted by Aaron Lang.

Made it to Gambell in the other direction as well yesterday ebird.org/checklist/S2...

Surveying this morning near the Beds/Cambs border, so decided to push on into the Fens and visit @rspb.bsky.social Ouse Fen. The star warbler showed incredibly well, but the real star was the habitat. Bravo RSPB. Bitterns, Beardies, Cuckoos, heaps of Harriers, breeding Ducks etc. Lovely.

Fun afternoon watching the first Eider for Bucks since ‘93. A big county tick for almost everyone. Then home via @bbowt.bsky.social Gallows Bridge Farm with two Whimbrel, Marsh Harrier and breeding Curlew, Redshanks, Yellow Wags.

Great t-shirt. One I wore to see a Miss Taylor Swift last summer…

I was 24 hours early for #InternationalDawnChorusDay but the opportunity for a Surrey heathland visit was too much to miss. I saw serenaded by 11 Dartford Warbs, 6 Woodlark, 7 Common Redstarts, 3 Tree Pipits, a calling Cuckoo and 3 bubbling Curlew. Bliss.

Conditions around Tring this morning were nearly great for passage, just not quite. But it held promise, and three Greenshanks dropping into College for an hour paid back the effort. Whimbrel at Wilstone remained from yesterday. Also 2 Common Sands, and a decent arrival of Swifts #Hertsbirds

I didn’t have BAIKAL TEAL on my Easter Sunday Bingo Card, that’s for sure! Female at Wilstone Res this afternoon #Hertsbirds

Back today from a fortnight working in the US, during which time I managed to escape to south Texas and the Rio Grande Valley for a long weekend birding. Here’s three minutes of some of North America’s rarest or most range-restricted birds. Enjoy!

Richard’s Pipit, Bury Field, Newport Pagnell, Bucks. 23/02/25

I average one Bucks tick a year these days, if I’m lucky.

LGRE therefore finding the first twitchable Richard’s Pipit in Bucks for 35 years on my first full day away with the family for half-term was, well, unhelpful.

Luckily it’s February and it’s nicely settled. Showing well this morning! ✅

Drake White-headed Duck

Marbled Duck

Marbled and White-headed Ducks, Andalućia. Great euro-rares, terrible photos.

A nice morning stroll, trying not to think too much about everyone else getting Richard’s Pipit for their Bucks lists…

ebird.org/checklist/S2...

RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch 2025 results. Only birds that land count, no flyovers

Robin in my back garden under the feeders

Blue Tit enjoying a peanut heart

Woodpigeon in our Apple tree

Another enjoyable @rspb.bsky.social #BigGardenBirdwatch this morning. The highlight, as ever, the Redwings. We’re so fortunate to have these wonderful thrushes in our garden each winter. Lots of Kite action overhead, too #HertsBirds

Great Northern Diver

Black-necked Grebe

Passing Staines today I took the opportunity to spend half an hour along the causeway on a very flat, still morning. A GND was close on the South Basin, a Slav across the far side. On the North Basin seven BNGs were close in all together

Dawn at Marsworth this morning #NoFilter