The Severnside Curlew Sands may have moved on, but they have been replaced by this dapper adult Wood Sandpiper as the Pilning Wetland continues to produce. Found by @reuben-veal.bsky.social, this is the second of it's kind on the patch this year. Pic: @severnsidebirds.bsky.social #ukbirding

I was delighted to find the two adult sum plum Curlew Sandpipers still present on the Pilning Wetland this morning. A regular passage migrant between Aug-Oct on Severnside, they are seldom seen here in their breeding finery in July. Pics: @severnsidebirds.bsky.social #ukbirding #avonbirding

Still no Green Sand on the Severnside patch today, but I did manage to find a couple of spanking sum plum Curlew Sandpipers on Pilning wetland. Unexpected in mid-July to say the least! #ukbirding

I'm still yet to clap eyes on a patch Green Sandpiper in 2026, but Common Sands made up for it today, with 13 seen across the Severnside site. My partner in birding, @kidphotographer24.bsky.social, then found a Clouded Yellow at Aust Cliff! #ukbirding #avonbirding

It felt rather Autumnal on the Severnside patch today. Wader passage is underway (Dunlin, Curlew & Common Sand through), Swifts and Sand Martins heading into the north easterly breeze and a smart Med Gull on the Pilning wetland. Pic: @severnsidebirds.bsky.social #ukbirding #avonbirding

Re-reading @jahanlon.bsky.social's epic account of the 2000 Long-tailed Shrike quest and subsequent rescue at sea of Adrian Webb's 'famous' doomed boat charter in the Minch. I bet those guys were stoked to grip back this mythical UK mega in Fife this week! #ukbirding #birdingscotland

A first summer male of the erythronotus race (central Asia), the Crail Long-tailed Shrike may be around for a while yet. As this image by Lee Fuller demonstrates, it is in moult and growing a new set of tertials. It already possesses a full set of adult coverts #ukbirding

A well-executed twitch to Fife to see Britain's second Long-tailed Shrike represented a long-awaited grip back! Thanks especially to @0100011s.bsky.social for driving and to @yeovilbirder.bsky.social and @martynhayes.bsky.social for their excellent company. Pic: Dennis Morrison #ukbirding

Well, I guess it really was a Long-tailed Shrike after all. Good views eventually had by all in Fife this morning, ending 26 years of hurt for some of us. This image by fellow West Country wanderer @yeovilbirder.bsky.social #ukbirding #birdingscotland

Adult male Long-tailed Shrike reported in a garden near Crail, Fife earlier today. Currently being looked for. Not sure who took this pic? #ukbirding

All quiet on the Severnside patch right now, but plenty of common butterfly species on the wing. Couple of smart adult Mediterranean Gulls on Pilning wetland the avian highlight today #avonbirds #ukbirding

The Chew Squacco Heron was the highlight of an action-packed June, which also served up Leach's Petrel, Storm Petrel, Manx Shearwater, Bonxie, Great Northern Diver, Guillemot and Fulmar on the Severnside patch. Avon yr list: 190. This superb Storm Petrel image by @markcoller.bsky.social #ukbirding

This time last year, I was enjoying this mercurial Collared Pratincole as it hawked insects at Frampton Marsh RSPB. It represented my 300th species seen in my 2025 Big Year. Back on the local patch, 2026 has been comparatively low key! #ukbirding

On this day last year, I enjoyed a fabulous dawn encounter with this singing Iberian Chiff Chaff at Tentsmuir Country Park, Fife. It took my 2025 UK year list to 297. Later added Quail in Cheshire on the way home. Happy memories. Pic: Dennis Morrison #ukbirding

I was so excited at seeing my first Severnside patch Fulmar of the year, found by @nigelwarren.bsky.social , I collapsed through the seat of my old sea watching chair! You really had to be there to appreciate the comedy genius of the moment. Pic: @kidphotographer24.bsky.social #ukbirding

Some cracking Red-veined Darter action at Siblyback Lake today. Alas, no pics. Way above my photographic pay-grade, I'm afraid! Double figures of singing Willow Warbler served as a bonus #ukbirding #cornwallbirding

A year ago today. A mad dash from home in the last of the evening light to connect with this magnificent Desert Wheatear at Keynsham. Just 10 minutes from home, it was one of the highlights on my 'Big Year' in 2026 #ukbirding #avonbirding

A really quite incredible 24 hours on the Severnside patch! Avon's first record of Great Shearwater followed Thursday's scarce Pomarine Skua sighting. Then our first ever June record of Leach's Petrel (left) turned up alongside six-plus Euro Stormies. Pics: @severnsidebirds.bsky.social #ukbirding

What a week it has been for rare herons. To say I was pleased when this superb Squacco Heron flew past me at Chew Valley Lake, is an understatement! It also flew straight onto my Avon year list, which now stands at 188. Pic: Mark Suddaby #avonbirding #ukbirding

I have today submitted the February/March record of Hooded Merganser found on Pilning Wetland, Avon. Without wishing to pre-empt the decision-making process of BOURC, I remain hopeful that this record might be accepted to Category A. Pics: @bri-thompson.bsky.social #ukbirding

Funny how seeing a bird can make you feel ridiculously happy. After an anxious weekend spent covering county cricket, I finally escaped Bristol and made the journey to North Wales to see the Western Reef Heron. Great bird, great site, great day out. Love this image by Paul Chapman #ukbirding

My Severn Beach seawatching campaign moved up a gear with Great Northern Diver, Bonxie, Arctic Skua, 2 Storm Petrel, 250+Manx, 2 Common Scoter and 5 Kitts seen in company with @severnsidebirds.bsky.social and @matthall95.bsky.social. Patch birding at it's finest. Stock pic #avonbirding #ukbirding

We elicited strange looks from passersby as we four muskateers huddled together in the wind and rain and peered into the Severn Beach gloom, but we cared not after seeing Arctic Skua, 5 Common Tern, Kittiwakes and new for the year Guillemots! #avonbirding #ukbirding

Back on the Severnside patch today following a lengthy absence, and slightly surprised to connect with a lone Manx Shearwater off Severn Beach in a moderate south westerly. Better conditions to come for seabirds on Thursday #avonbirding #ukbirding

May yielded some quality sightings, not least Spoonbill, self-found Black-winged Stilts, Temminck's Stint, Quail, White Stork, Garganey, Cuckoo, Grey Partridge and a surprise-package one-day Nightjar in Bristol! All of which, takes my Avon year list onto 182. Pic: Alan Chard #avonbirding #ukbirding

So pleased to finally add Grey Partridge to my Avon year list. A really tough species to see in the county these days! Many thanks to @markcoller.bsky.social for his assistance. Next move, back to the Severnside patch for some eagerly anticipated seabirds later this week #avonbirding #ukbirding

Two singing Quail between Marshfield and Tormarton this evening added to an Avon year list that has stalled recently. Superb field edges yielded stacks of butterflies, including Clouded Yellow and multiple Painted Lady. Foxes, Hares etc. So good after a busy spell at work. #avonbirding #ukbirding

Just me and the singing male Eastern Subalpine Warbler for an hour after first light at Beachy Head this morning. Fortunate to enjoy excellent close-up views of such a skulking species. Feeding on caterpillars, it demonstrated territorial behaviour to see off a Whitethroat. Pic: James Dee #ukbirding

A day that began with superb views of the two Temminck's Stints on the Severnside patch, concluded with an early-evening encounter with a dapper drake Garganey on Herriott's Pool, Chew Valley Lake. Here's one brilliantly captured by Bri Thompson at the same spot 2 years ago #ukbirding #avonbirding

A genuine 999 situation when @oscardewhurst.bsky.social found two Temminck's Stints at Pilning today. I was babysitting my granddaughter. What to do? Lyra joined me on her maiden twitch, of course, and the birds were seen well a few minutes before flying off! Pic: @rose-setter.bsky.social #ukbirding