RSPB Old Moor - 5th September 2026

Jayne and I had a trip over to RSPB Old Moor, on Saturday. We had a few hours there, and managed to add another couple of species to the Year List: Wood Sandpiper (194) and Caspian Gull (195).

The Wood Sandpiper was seen from Wath Ings hide, and was feeding close in with several Ruff and a Greenshank. Other birds seen from this hide included: Green Sandpiper (5), Lapwing (50+), Dunlin (3), Black-tailed Godwit (4), Grey Heron (1), Mallard, Gadwall, Teal, Canada and Greylag Geese.

Wood Sandpiper and Ruff

Greenshank (and Stickleback)

Our next stop was the Wader Scrape Hide, where we spotted a very confiding Common Sandpiper, Wigeon, Gadwall, Pied Wagtail, Mute Swan (2 ringed birds: Y848 and Y812) Lesser Black-backed Gulls and a single Caspian Gull. The Caspian Gull, a 2nd year bird, was ringed with the darvic number PY1X, and appears to be a Polish-ringed bird. I'll update, when I hear back from the ringers. The final bird species of note was Marsh Harrier. We saw two birds, a male and a "cream crown".

Common Sandpiper

Caspian Gull

Gadwall

Southern Migrant Hawker!

 I've had a few attempts over the last few years to try and spot a Southern Migrant Hawker, without any luck, so today's trip to RSPB Frampton Marsh finally put this species to bed! As you'll see, however, my photos leave a lot to be desired!! Unfortunately, it didn't perch whilst I was there, but the intense blue of the abdomen and eyes were very clear to see "in the field". 

Southern Migrant Hawker (honestly!!)

Whilst on site, I had a walk around the the Reedbed Trail and saw plenty of Yellow Wagtails (mainly juveniles), Spoonbills (7),  Black-tailed Godwits (200+), Dunlin (30+), Ringed Plover (a great flock of c.30 flying over!), Ruff (10+), Avocet (3 adults), Redshank (20+), Spotted Redshank (4, including a Norwegian-ringed bird, flag CEW), Knot (year tick 176) and heard a Greenshank (year tick 177). I also heard Bearded Tits, Goldfinch, Linnets and Meadow Pipits. Birds of Prey were represented with a male Marsh Harrier, a Kestrel and two sightings of a Hobby (my first sighting of this species here).

Whilst on site, I also recorded a few insects, including included Painted Ladies, Green-veined Whites, Ruddy Darter, my first Willow Emerald Damselflies of the year, and a pair of mating Migrant Hawkers.

Willow Emerald Damselfly

Migrant Hawkers

RSPB Blacktoft Sands - 12th April 2026

 Last Sunday, Jayne and I went across to RSPB Blacktoft Sands to try and add a few more species to the Year List. We were very successful, adding 5 new species, as well as enjoying 5 Marsh Harriers hunting over the reedbeds, a fly-by Bittern, a very showy Water Vole from Reception Hide and my first Red Admiral of the year.

Water Vole

The new birds seen were: Avocet (129), Little Ringed Plover (130), a ringtail Hen Harrier (131), Little Egret (132) and Tree Sparrow (133).

Little Egret

Other birds around the site included: Greylag and Canada Goose, Shelduck, Wigeon, Teal, Curlew, Black-tailed Godwit, Snipe, Redshank, Lapwing, Bearded Tit (seen briefly over the reedbeds), Yellowhammer, Blackcap and Cetti's Warbler (heard).

2025 Year List Begins

 This year's Year List started off quite slowly, as the weather here in Norfolk was very windy! By the end of the day, however, Jayne and I had managed a respectable 45 species.

The first birds, seen from our holiday house in Wiveton, were: Black-headed Gull (1), Woodpigeon (2), Pink-footed Goose (3), Pheasant (4), Carrion Crow (5), Lapwing (6) and Goldfinch (7).

Later in the morning, we popped down to the Norfolk Wildlife Trust's Cley Marshes Reserve., where we managed to dodge the rain (ish!), and logged another 34 species: Robin (8), Blackbird (9), Skylark (10), Marsh Harrier (11), Shoveler (12), Wigeon (13), Mute Swan (14), Shelduck (15), Mallard (16), Gadwall (17), Teal (18), Pintail (19), Herring Gull (20), Kingfisher (21), Greylag Goose (22), Turnstone (23), Dunlin (24), Pied Wagtail (25), Redshank (26), Little Egret (27), Jackdaw (28), Rook (29), Golden Plover (30), Great Black-backed Gull (31), Sanderling (32), Brent Goose (Dark-bellied - 33), Common Gull (34), Collared Dove (35), Jay (36), Grey Heron (37), Bearded Tit (38), Starling (39), Wren (40) and Black-tailed Godwit (41). 

Grey Heron and Little Egret

The last five species were seen in the afternoon: Buzzard (42), Long-tailed Tit (43), Magpie (44) and Oystercatcher (45).

Frampton Marsh - 3rd February 2024

 Last weekend, Jayne and I had a drive over to Willow Tree Fen and RSPB Frampton Marsh, clocking up an impressive 11 species for the Year List.

Our first stop was the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust's Willow Tree Fen, where we saw 6 Common Cranes (105), including a pair that were calling and displaying. Whilst there, we also saw 3 Marsh Harriers (106).

Common Crane

Moving on, we arrived at Frampton, where the 1st winter Lesser Yellowlegs (107) was putting on an amazing show, on the wetland, by the car park! This bird has now been present since last year (130+ days!) and it was great to see how its moult had progressed since we last saw it back in October (see here). These photos shows a few remaining brown, juvenile feathers.

Lesser Yellowlegs

We had a walk around the reserve, spotting the following birds: Mute and Whooper Swan (1), Canada, Greylag and Dark-bellied Brent Geese (108), Meadow Pipit (109), Mallard, Teal, Wigeon, Shelduck, Pochard (110), Pintail (111), Redshank, Dunlin, Curlew, Lapwing ('000s) and Golden Plover (000's). Up on the seawall, we spotted another couple of Marsh Harriers, and, after a lot of searching, a very distant, male Hen Harrier (112, yes!). Heading back down to the Visitors' Centre, we spotted Black-tailed Godwits (113), Avocets (114) and, perched up on the barn, a male and female Peregrine Falcon (115).

London and Norfolk - Birds and Insects

 Jayne and I have just had a few days away in London and Norfolk. Whilst there we enjoyed a mixture of sightseeing, theatre and wildlife watching.

Two new bird species were seen: Ring-necked Parakeet and Red-crested Pochard. The parakeets were seen (and heard!) all around, whilst the pochard was seen in Kew Gardens. 

Red-crested Pochard

Whilst at Hampton Court Palace we also spotted a new hoverfly species: Merodon equestris and our first Banded Demoiselle damselflies of 2021.

Merodon equestris

Whilst in Norfolk, we went to RSPB Strumpshaw Fen, hoping to see Swallowtail butterflies and Norfolk Hawker dragonflies. Unfortunately, due to the cold May, both species were yet to emerge. Thankfully, the Marsh Harriers were a lot more cooperative, as were 2 Cuckoos (heard and seen), pinging Bearded Tits , a reeling Grasshopper Warbler and a Grass Snake.

Other insects seen here were: Variable Damselfly, Banded Demoiselle, Blue-tailed Damselfly, Azure Damselfly, Red-eyed Damselfly (1), Scarce Chaser (4) and Hairy Dragonfly (5+ seen, including a resting male).

Hairy Dragonfly

The Year List has now moved on to 150 species.

Year List update:

140 - Redstart

141 - Lesser Whitethroat

142 - Peregrine Falcon

143 - Bittern 

144 - Cetti's Warbler

145 - Ring-necked Parakeet

146 - Red-crested Pochard

147 - Marsh Harrier

148 - Bearded Tit

149 - Cuckoo

150 - Grasshopper Warbler

Norfolk Trip - 4th January 2019

On Friday, Luke and I spent a full day birding and "year listing" in Norfolk. We started off in Wells-Next-the Sea where we managed to pick up a lot of waders, Red Kite, Marsh and Hen Harrier, Guillemot and Dark-bellied Brent Geese (58 to 75). We then drove down to Holkham NNR and St Anne's Drive where we managed to locate (with help from other birders), Snow Bunting, Shorelark and Great White Egret (numbers 76 to 82). Our final two locations were RSPB Titchwell Chiffchaff, Caspian Gull  and numbers 83 to 92, and Thornham Harbour for Twite (93).

Caspian Gull (left)

Year List update:
58 – Guillemot 
59-Brent Goose (DB)
60 – Red Kite 
61 – Marsh Harrier 
62 – Hen Harrier 
63 - Pintail
64 – Oystercatcher 
65 – Ringed Plover 
66 – Grey Plover 
67 –Lapwing
68 – Shelduck
69 – Turnstone
70 – Dunlin
71 – Redshank
72 – Greenshank
73 – Bar-tailed Godwit
74 – Curlew 
75 – Bullfinch
76 – Skylark
77 – Snow Bunting
78 – Shorelark 
79 - Linnet
80 - Meadow Pipit
81 – Great White Egret
82 – Egyptian Goose
83 – Avocet
84 –  Knot
85 – Shoveler
86 – Teal
87 – Common Gull
88 – Caspian Gull
89 – Black-tailed Godwit
90 – Eider Duck
91 – Chiffchaff
92 – Sanderling
93 – Twite

RSPB Minsmere - 27th May 2017

I'm down in Suffolk for a week, so, of course, the first stop has to be Bittern Hide at RSPB Minsmere. Jayne and I had a couple of hours down there on Saturday evening, to see what we could see. As always, this site produced the goods with amazing views of at least 2 Bitterns, right in front of the hide!!

Bittern

Other birds present were: Cettis Warblers (everywhere), Marsh Harrier, Bearded Tit (heard), Common Tern, Reed Warbler.

Year List update:
154 – Bearded Tit
155 – Bittern
156 – Common Tern
157 – Reed Warbler

Bluethroat

Bluethroats are pretty uncommon in Britain, usually seen as a passage migrant in spring and autumn, mainly on the east coast. News, therefore, of a "red-spotted" Bluethroat found apparently overwintering in Lincolnshire was a great record, and one I couldn't pass up on. I've only ever seen 2 before, 1 briefly (about 5seconds) at RSPB Blacktoft Sands, and one on Beeley Moor, Derbyshire, in June 2001 (see details, and 1 photograph on the Birdguides website here).

Today's bird was initially found on 10th February, and has been present in the same area, by the main path at the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust's Willow Tree Fen Reserve ever since. When Jayne and I arrived the bird had just been out, for about 20 seconds! We waited an hour (in cold, windy conditions!), before it came out again for about 45 seconds. I managed a few photos, and a little video (see here), before it dived back into the reeds. A beautiful bird!

Bluethroat

Whilst waiting for the Bluethroat to appear, we also spotted a couple of Marsh Harriers (year tick), and heard some Teal. Driving home, we spotted a small flock of approximately 30 Golden Plovers (year tick).

Year Tick update:
102 – Bluethroat
103 – Marsh Harrier
104 – Golden Plover

Yellow-browed Warbler!!

Unfortunately, this is not a Linacre report, but instead refers to 2 birds that I've seen today in Holkham Pines in Norfolk. This site is a much more usual spot for this species, but is still an excellent record for me. I tried hard to get a photo, but the only one I could manage was this lovely one of the tree the bird was flitting around in - enjoy!

Yellow-browed Warbler tree (honestly!)

The warblers, were seen on a walk from Wells-next-the-Sea to Holkham, that Jayne and I did today. We set off in Wells, walked down to the beach and along to Holkham Gap. We then walked up through the pines, watched the Yellow-brows, and visited Joe Jordan Hide. Along the way, we also recorded Redshank, Turnstone, Curlew, Oystercatcher, Meadow Pipit, Skylark, Wheatear (4 by Holkham Gap), Marsh Harrier (2 over Holkham Marsh), Grey Heron, Gannet, Pink-footed Goose Redwing (c.20 over - first of the winter), 1 Grey Partridge (year tick) and a Red Admiral feeding in the sunshine on ivy.

In Wells itself, we also saw House Sparrows, Herring, Common and Black-headed Gulls, Dark-bellied Brent Geese (first of the year), Mallard and Starlings.

Starling

Year List update:

175: Yellow-browed Warbler

176: Grey Partridge

Dark-bellied Brent Goose.

Frampton Marsh RSPB

Yesterday I spent 5 hours at RSPB Frampton Marsh with my nephew, Luke. Luke saw 5 new species of birds, and I managed to get 8 new "year ticks".

The first new bird for me was Little Stint. We saw at least 4 different birds, but there have been up to 40 birds present recently. 1 bird in particular came feeding very close in to the 360 hide, and we managed to get some nice photos.

Little Stint (juvenile)

The second bird that I really wanted to see was Curlew Sandpiper. Last week there were over 200 present, but this week the numbers had dropped off, and we managed to see about 6. They were quite distant, but 1 came in close to 360 hide along with a Little Stint.

Curlew Sandpiper and Little Stint

Other "year ticks" were: Green Sandpiper (1 seen), Ruff ( a minimum of 6 seen), Yellow Wagtail (1 flew over), Marsh Harrier (3 seen), Little Ringed Plover (1 seen) and Spoonbill (4 birds).

Spoonbills (1 adult and 3 juveniles?)

Spoonbills and Black-tailed Godwit

As well as these birds we also saw: Avocet, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Snipe, Greenshank, Common Sandpiper, Cormorant, Wheatear (1 juvenile), Teal, Little Egret (10+), and Ringed Plover (1 juvenile).

Ringed Plover (juvenile)

It was quite sunny, so we also managed to see a few insects; Common Darter, Migrant Hawker and Common Blue Butterfly.

Common Blue Butterfly

Year List update:

167 – Green Sandpiper
168 – Little Stint
169 – Curlew Sandpiper
170 – Ruff
171 – Spoonbill
172 – Yellow Wagtail
173 – Marsh Harrier
174 - Little Ringed Plover

RSPB Old Moor

I had a day at RSPB Old Moor today in search of a Great White Egret, that has been present for a few weeks. After a few hours, and quite a few "near misses" I managed to connect with the bird when it flew out of the reeds on Wath Ings and disappeared onto nearby Bolton Ings. in total, I saw it for about 30 seconds, so no photo I'm afraid!!

While waiting for the egret, I got another "year tick" in the shape of 2 Common Sandpipers that were feeding close to the hides. Other waders present were: Green Sandpiper (2), Dunlin (4), Ruff (4), Snipe (1), Lapwing (c.300), Golden Plover (3 breeding plumaged birds) and Black-tailed Godwit (3).

Common and Green Sandpiper

Green Sandpiper

As well as the waders there were a good number of ducks, geese and swans present including: Mallard, Gadwall, Pochard, Wigeon, Teal, Mute Swan, Canada and Greylag Geese.  

Shoveler

Last but not least were the small birds. I didn't see or hear many, but the highlights for me were dozens of Goldfinch, a single Marsh Harrier, 8 Swallows and 2 Swifts, which are my latest ever record.

Year List update:
167 - Great White Egret
168 - Common Sandpiper

RSPB Frampton Marsh

I had a drive over to Lincolnshire today to see if I could see a Red-footed Falcon at the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust's Willow Tree Fen Reserve. Unfortunately, I "dipped", but I did spot at least half a dozen Yellow Wagtails feeding around the cows, a Green Sandpiper, a Kingfisher and 2 Marsh Harriers.

Afterwards, I drove over to RSPB Frampton Marsh, near Boston, to look for some of the many waders that had been reported recently on the Birdguides website. The first species I saw was Black-tailed Godwit, followed closely by Ruff , Snipe, Ringed Plover and Lapwing. Wood Sandpiper was the next species seen with 2 individuals seen. Little Stints (2 juveniles), and a single juvenile Curlew Sandpiper were also seen. I got  a few "record shots".

Little Stint showing white "braces"

Little Stint (face on)

Curlew Sandpiper (juvenile)

Wood Sandpiper 

Ruff (juvenile)

Along with the waders there were also hundreds of Mallards, Teals, Canada and Greylag Geese, as well as 6 Pintail, Black-headed and Herring Gulls and a single, unseasonable Pink-footed Goose!

Year List update:

160 – Yellow Wagtail

161 – Green Sandpiper

162 – Wood Sandpiper

163 – Little Stint

164 – Curlew Sandpiper

165 – Pink-footed Goose

166 - Pintail

RSPB Strumpshaw Fen

I've been keen to see Swallowtail butterflies and Norfolk Hawker dragonflies for several years now, but both species have a very restricted range in Britain, being restricted to just a few sites in East Anglia. So, with a free day, and a reasonable weather forecast, I drove down to one of these sites, RSPB Strumpshaw Fen in Norfolk, to try and catch up with these 2 species.  Although it was slightly overcast when we (Jayne and I) arrived we still managed to see both species and get a few photos.

The Norfolk Hawkers were quite easy to see, patrolling the numerous dykes that crisscross the reserve. We managed to find one that was close to the path, and kept returning to a favourite perch time and time again. I got a few photos, which I've cropped down. Note the green eyes- gorgeous!

Norfolk Hawker

The Swallowtails were much more difficult to see, and we very nearly came away empty handed! As I said, the weather wasn't great, a bit too overcast for this species, but thankfully, the staff at the reserve spotted this individual fly into the reeds, just before we left! The butterfly was about 10 metres away from the reception hide, but I managed to get a few shots, one of which I've cropped. Quite pleased with the outcome.

Swallowtail

Whilst looking for the insects we came across 4 Common Lizards that were sat on the boardwalk. They were very easy to approach and we managed to get shots of this pristine individual and a less than pristine one! I think the second picture shows an individual that has lost its tail after being attacked by a predator.

Common Lizard

Common Lizard

As well as the insects we also managed to see several Marsh Harriers hunting over the reedbeds, hear Cetti's Warblers and see this stunning Bee Orchid (1 of at least 6 present near the reception).

Bee Orchid

Afterwards we went for a short drive to Thorpe St Andrew for some lunch, and saw a pair of Banded Demoiselle damselflies and a family party of Egyptian Goose (year tick) on the river.

Banded Demoiselle (female)

On the drive home we saw a Hobby (year tick) flying by the A17. Not a bad day!

Year List update:-
140 - Egyptian Goose
141 - Hobby

Montagu's Harriers!

Yesterday I went to the RSPB's Blacktoft Sands reserve following news on the Bird Guides website that a pair of Montagu's Harriers were present, and viewable from the hides. Normally I wouldn't mention this rare breeder, but, as I said, the news has been put out in the public domain by the RSPB, and the site is now being guarded around the clock. The birds are best viewed from the Singleton Hide, and whilst there we (Jayne and I), saw the female bird on 3 occassions, as she flew up out of the reeds to see off the local Marsh Harriers that were also flying about. See here for more details about this species.

Whilst on site, we also visited the other hides, and heard or saw several good birds including 8 species for the Year List. The first new bird was Cetti's Warbler, that was heard, but not seen, singing loudly from the reedbed - a first for me at this site. Along with the Montagu's, there were also several Marsh Harriers flying around the site (year tick), along with Pochard, Shoveler, Avocets, 1 Swift and Shelduck (all new for the year). Moving to Xerox Hide, we also spotted a Greenshank, and a pair of Garganey, that were fast asleep on one of the islands.

                                                             Greylags and a pair of Garganey

Year List update:

116 – Cetti’s Warbler

117 – Marsh Harrier

118 – Montagu's Harrier

119 – Shelduck

120 – Shoveler

121 – Pochard

122 – Swift

123 – Avocet

WWT Welney

I was out and about with the Chesterfield RSPB Group at the weekend, visiting the Wildfowl and Wetland Trust's Welney reserve.

At this time of the year the highlight of a visit is the wintering Whooper and Bewick Swans. During our visit we saw lots of Whoopers, both in the fields and on the reserve itself. Many of the birds are colour ringed including the female bird of this family party(far right). The female bird, U5D, was originally ringed at Martin Mere, another WWT reserve in Lancashire, 9 years ago, and is paired up with an unringed male bird. As you can see, the pair have managed to raise 3 young this year.

Family of Whooper Swans

Unfortunately, the Bewick Swans weren't playing during our visit, and we didn't see any on the reserve. We did, however, see several hundred swans flying onto the reserve to roost as we were driving home. Some of these were most likely Bewicks!!

As well as the swans, we also saw very good numbers of other waterbirds, including Pochard, Shoveler, Mallard, Teal, Wigeon, Gadwall, Tufted Ducks, Canada and Greylag Goose, and several species of wader; Black-tailed Godwit (c.600), Dunlin, Redshank, Lapwing, Golden Plover and Snipe.

Birds of Prey were represented by a couple of Marsh Harriers that kept flushing all the birds, and a stunning Barn Owl that was hunting along the ditches of the reserve.

Norfolk Highlights

Just back from a couple of days in Norfolk, where I visited a couple of good reserves and added 17 species to the "Year List".

First stop was the Norfolk Wildlife Trust's Weeting Heath reserve. This heathland reserve is the place to see Stone Curlews, and we were lucky to see a pair from one of the hides.

Stone Curlew

After seeing the curlews, we drove across to RSPB Titchwell on the north Norfolk coast and spent 2 hours walking around, where we added another 16 new species for the year. Highlights here were a pair of Bearded Tits, breeding  plumaged Spotted Redshank and Grey Plover and a booming Bittern.

Grey Plover

Year List update:

119 – Stone Curlew
120 – Brent Goose (Dark-bellied)
121 – Red-crested Pochard
122 – Bearded Tit
123 – Spotted Redshank
124 – Greenshank
125 – Common Scoter
126 – Common Tern
127 – Bittern (booming)
128 – Little Egret
129 – Sand Martin
130 – Little Ringed Plover
131 – Grey Plover
132 – Knot
133 – Bar-tailed Godwit
134 – Sedge Warbler
135 – Cetti’s Warbler