Another one from Spain, at la janda, a black winged kite. Great birds and seems to be doing rather well in pockets.

I love a cuckoo, this one was keeping up with me as I was walking in Spain. I've never seen this behaviour here in Britain, I can only assume that I was disturbing insects. It followed me for about 400 metres Smashing bird

Wow Tara, that hit the spot. Thank you so much.🤗

Another photo from Spain that brings back memories of good times. This photo of two young Eagle Owls was taken from more than 800 metres away and is therefore heavily cropped. At the time, these two kept us amused for hours, dancing about and waiting to be fed. What an evening.

I remember buying that book on the first day it came out. I knew it was coming and had been saving my pocket money for ages. Seeing that picture took me back in time. Turning the pages and dreaming of seeing those exotic birds. Oh my, nostalgia at it's birding best. Thank you

That should, of course, been Cota Donana not costa

It is, indeed, good news. How is Donana doing. I've spent a great deal of time at Costa Donana over the years but it's been off my itinerary for the last couple of years due to the loss of good birding opportunities in the face of the water extraction. I hear its a bit better this year?

Good morning to everyone. I've decided to share a few bird pictures from the past couple of years and I'll start with this stunning breeding plumage Squacco Heron from one of my favourite places in Spain. Remember, I don't claim to be a photographer

If by some fluke, anyone missed the thousands of Wigeon that graced us with their presence and cheered me with that wintery call that I love so much, it's not too late. We still have one and what a little beauty he is.

When I'm out enjoy the dawn chorus, I try to immerse myself in the event and not mess about with technology. Therefore here is a picture of what the dawn chorus looked like the other morning.

If you look very carefully, you will be able to make out a Whinchat in the middle of this picture. It's always good to see one of these beauties locally, though I usually hope for better views than this elusive swine gave. Still better luck next year 😁

That's so funny 🤣🤣🤣

This time of year is tiring. Why? Because I love the dawn chorus so much that my alarm clock is set for 03.55 every morning so that I don't miss it. I'm out for 3-4 hours, then home, coffee and... You've guessed it, out birdwatching with Mrs Megapode. One of the contributors, a willow warbler

No, they're harder to find this year.

Near the car park at fen Drayton might be a good shout for turtle dove

Despite knowing how lucky I am, I do have a tendency to bemoan my luck. The other day I was coming to the end of my patch walk and thinking " look how good it looks, where are the waders. The I remembered that I've seen 15 species of waders this year on the patch. Never satisfied. Ruff from today 😁

This Whimbrel the other day brought up 125 species on the patch for the year. I've had this as my patch for eighteen years but sadly that run may be heading towards an end. Still, if it ends, there will be another patch.

Somebody, the other day, said to me "you must have the best patch in Cambridgeshire". Well maybe I have. 79 species on my five mile walk around the patch this morning, nine short of my record. The warblers are the star of the show for me at the moment.

That's smashing Viv.

What a super photo Jim.

Some of our Lapwing chicks are growing fast. Some are disappearing as would be expected. By my reckoning, the number present has halved in the last week and the size of those surviving has doubled.

No reminder needed that I'm not a photographer but how about this, a wood Sandpiper photographed from my doorstep. Add that to other birds seen this week from my step, a White Stork, 11 Black Tern and a Red Footed Falcon, with a whimbrel as supporting act. What a week. What a patch to treasure.

While I agree with the sentiment, here's what I fear we are missing. Farage is saying the things that, in a normal world, would cost him votes. We no longer live in that world. Ask him difficult questions, corner him, and he will give answers that should spell the end for him. It won't.

There is a lot of cuckoo noise on the patch this year, maybe more than I've heard in a couple of years. Difficult to be sure how many birds are here but at least four. Only heard one bubbling so far.

I don't know what's going on here in Cambridgeshire but the birding has gone mad. Most of these birds are well documented but in the last couple of days a Great Reed Warbler,two Red Footed Falcon, a White Stork, a Spotted Sandpiper and 11 Black Tern. Sadly, I had to get in the car for the sandpiper.

After a short feeding frenzy, nine of sixteen Great White Egret settled down for a preen and to digest their fishy breakfast.

Ah yes, I remember it well, and wasn't it cold on the day it left. No gloves and wooly hats needed for this one

For a while, last year, it was looking like I might have to face a year without seeing a lifetime first. It would have been the first year in over half a century without a life tick. Saved by the Frampton Marsh Baird's Sandpiper. As already stated, I'm not a photographer. 😁

Odes have been written to the nightingale, but I prefer the Blackcap. Even better, for me, is the garden warbler. This is a good year for them on my patch and one has finally taken up a traditional territory, either its old or the territory is an heirloom, passed from generation to generation.

Great Reed Warbler and Sedge Warbler for size comparison at RSPB Ouse Fen this morning. @rspbengland.bsky.social
#RSPB #birds #ukbirding #uknature #birdphotography #nature #ukwildlife #canon #canon100-400