Singing Marsh Warbler

After having seen 16 Crossbill go over our garden calling this morning and checking the valley. I went along with Mo to see the Marsh Warbler at Rainham Marshes, which did not show well while we were there but was still great to hear singing. Like the ones I've seen before and heard for that matter, they are always entertaining to listen to copying other bird calls like Swallow, Quail, Blackbird and Blue Tit. See if you can recognise anyone from the crowd shots?

Patch 101

It was to be a historic moment yesterday as I finally had a Red Kite go over the garden for the first time in 17 years! and as I enjoyed watching it going east I remembered that I needed it for this years patch list. So a quick run around to the front of the house and viewed it going over the Ingrebourne Valley!!

Red Kite garden MEGA!!!!

Working progress

I took this shot at Two Tree Island last saturday and is only a grab shot while walking around the site. The thing is I like the shot but the Kestrel is not near enough and its a bit out of focus, so hopefully will try and put some time in to improve the action shot that I want. That's the idea anyway!

Cream-coloured Courser

With news of the Cream-couloured Courser at Bradnor, Herefords it's one bird that was a must see for me and a hell of alot of people to, its such a big rarity I had to go and see it after work. Jono was the driver with Tim and Tony for company. The location for this twitch was a beautiful setting at a Golf coarse. Great views,great bird!!!

European Bee-eater at Glandford

Anyone who has tried to twitch Bee-eater knows its not an easy bird to catch up with, but today me and Monkey finally caught up with this exotically coloured cracker. After driving for 2.5 hrs we were looking at this stunner catching Bees from the wires in Glandford Norfolk which were over a small meadow. Its been a Superb week, the Melody midweek, Bonaparte's Gull yesterday, West Ham winning the play off final and now one of the birds I've always wanted to see in the UK and jamming in on the RB Fly aswell today. Just a shame my pictures are a bit distant. Am I worried? No! its a Bee-eater I would of still been happy to see one here in the UK and not get any photos of it.....

Bonaparte's Gull at Barking Bay

I was at Two Tree Island Essex, when Dom texted me to say that Rich Bonser had found a 1s Bonaparte's Gull at Crossness. So myself and Martin Redfern jumped in the car to try and connect with this London Mega. Luckily Paulboy had refound it, after it flew west. I must admit its not a easy bird to pick out at a distance well done Rich. Thanks to everyone for the info. Here are some record shots below.

Urban Melody

How about that then, Melodious Warbler in London today and not that far from the Olympic site too, superb, and like most of the London Birders, I got good views of this cracking find by Stuart Fisher. When myself and Paul arrived it was good to see some familar faces there and Kevin McManus, who I have not met before but have a bit of banter on Twitter, nice to have met you Kev!!. You can't beat a mid week tick and not that far from home too. It made my day! and probably alot of other birders too.

Picture by Paul Hawkins