Having barely visited Abberton in weeks, I cycled there today and was rewarded for my efforts with 2 Wood Sandpipers dropping onto the causeway. The Osprey was still around too, which was nice! #essexbirding

Had my first visit to Abberton in weeks today. Osprey was chilling on what I understand is its favourite perch. Ruddy was about but I couldn’t pick out the Ring Necked Duck even though it was reported again. Also, I snuck out to Manningtree last week for the Hudwit - life✅. #essexbirding

I was up on the Suffolk heath yesterday and saw a few bits and bobs.

Had a walk around the lower part of Friday Woods, Colchester this morning before the worst of the heat. Still can’t track down Purple Emperor in last years territory but did have WL and Purple Hairstreak, plus Brown Arg and W Admiral.

Nice (hot 🥵) walk around the southern part of Friday Woods, Colchester this am. Nice to see White Admiral, Banded Demoiselles and an active, showy Nightingale. Then some parenting going on nearby. #essexbirding

Birders, I’ve now been to two bird named pubs/bars…The Crow Inn (Sheffield) and today, The Rook Taproom (Brighton). It’s always a joy to find bird related places, and both of these were excellent. What bird related/named places have you been to? Gull pic from Brighton yesterday #birding

Minsmere had some great birds this week when I headed up there for the day with @swallowbirding.bsky.social and @esbr-essex.bsky.social. Pictures include Roseate Tern, Dartford Warbler, Sand Martin and a Marsh Harrier following a successful hunt! It was a great day! #suffolkbirding

I carried out a BTO Birds in Greenspaces survey at a local site the other day. Nice to see some busy Swallows while I was there. #essexbirding @btobirds.bsky.social

Back from a few days in Hungary where the focus was more beer than birds, but couldn’t help squeezing a bit of birding in. Hooded Crow, Tree Sparrow and Black Redstart were the highlights. Checked East Mersea Stone point #essex on the way out too 😉 #birding

A very showy Nightingale on the local patch today. #essexbirding

Local patch walk first thing was mainly about butterflies including whirling Speckled Wood and Green Hairstreak. Also had my first Swifts of the year over Abberton today too. #essexbirding #ukbutterflies

Also from Tiptree, a very busy Song Thrush (one of many), and one of at least 3 Nightingales. #essexbirding

Nice little stop off in Tiptree this afternoon for one of my favourite songs of spring! Sorry about the 💨 noise! #essexbirding

Photos of a few sightings at Abberton yesterday. #essexbirding

Black Tern, Common Sand, Barn Swallow and Sand Martin from Abberton today. #essexbirding

Went for a near on 10 mile pedal powered 🚲 circuit taking the local patch and beyond the other day. Mistle Thrushes, Skylarks and a fresh in Nightingale were noted. Bluebells looked nice in the sunlight too. #essexbirding. #lowcarbonbirding

Abberton has continued to deliver this week. Little Gull and Ring Ouzel from today. Wheatear and Bonapartes Gull yesterday, the latter of which was the first I’ve seen, so that was ace ✅. Thanks to the finders! #essexbirding #birdsseenin2026

This week around Abberton and my local patch - LRP, Swallow, Yellow Wagtail and Red Kite. Also managed to catch up with my first Willow Warbler of the year - I love their song! #essexbirding

Abberton was the place I heard Nightingale for the first time this spring. I followed that up with one on the local patch later in the day, which was nice. #essexbirding

Abberton and Tiptree Heath were looking lovely in the sunshine today. #essexbirding

Purple Sandpiper from Holland Haven yesterday. #essexbirding #birdphotography

Siskin and Redpoll from castle park, Colchester today and my first Chiffchaff from the local patch earlier this week. #essexbirding

One of two Black-necked Grebes at Abberton this afternoon. Plus some busy Cormorants and a Cattle Egret that was making itself at home with the gulls. #essexbirding

It was a battle of the bills today. I’m not getting into that contest, but I was really pleased to have finally seen my first Glossy Ibis in Essex. #essexbirding

Nice flock of 10 Redpoll on patch today. Cool. #essexbirding

The Smew and White-fronted Geese entertained at Abberton today. #essexbirding

A gentle start to the year with a bit of local birding followed by an hour at Abberton. Missed some of the highlights but it was a nice time out. #essexbirding

Red-necked Grebe from today. Great to catch up with one! Thanks to @esbr-essex.bsky.social #essexbirding

Couldn’t resist popping back to see the Abberton Smew yesterday. They were good enough to not only stick around, but come a little closer. #essexbirding

It was a wildfowl elite kind of morning at Abberton yesterday with 2 Smew! #wildfowlelite #essexbirding