In deepest, hottest, Berkshire watching Kestrels and Whitethroats with young gasping, in the third heatwave of this record-breaking summer. Yet more evidence of the accelerating #climatecrisis, which is demonstrably caused by human activity. We must act, individually and collectively. #berksbirds

Adult Grey Partridge with eight young scurried out of a wheatfield and across the farmyard outside my studio window. First I've seen here this year. #berksbirds

My first Hobby in the parish this year puts me on 84 species in this landlocked County parish with only a small brook and a couple of small ponds, mixed arable land and forestry. Best specialties include Nightjar, Woodcock, Lapwing. Still looking for a SpotFly for my parish year-list. #berksbirds

It's seven years today. I think of her every day and often think she would have something incisive to say about whatever noise is going on in the world. #bekind #bemorealice

One for the #birdinggear folks: I have a Leica Trima tripod on which the plastic shims have shattered on two of the legs, meaning they easily fall off, when unclipped. @leicacamera.bsky.social no longer support this model. Any suggestions on how to remedy?

The Red-headed Cardinal Beetle is a smart little critter.

Took the plunge and bought a PhoneSkope Lollipop from @cleyspy ready for when I change phones and join @ecotalk next week. First used it this evening at Main Pit and got these record shots of a Black-winged Stilt some 500m away. It was very easy to use/fit onto my Opticron scope. #birdinggear.

On my way back to the studio to carry on refining this LTT woodcut, I stopped off for this Wood Sandpiper and Whimbrel, bringing my 2026 list to 151 (113 in Berkshire, 78 in my home village) #berksbirds #lowcarbonbirding

You can park on the bend near the pretty little church and walk into the woods, which are right next to the road. I took my Mum there three weeks ago. What3words///bolts.took.amused

A 3 hour sea-watch at North Foreland this morning produced Black-throated Diver, 18 Common Scoter, Whimbrel, 2 Common Sandpiper, 2auk sp, lots of Gannets, Wheatear and hirundines. All in the company of very experienced local birders. #kentbirding

One of the two PurpleSands among the Turnstones at North Foreland this morning, thanks to @eastkentbirder.bsky.social for finding them. I risked my neck leaning over the railings but worth it for a year-tick. Several passing Gannets, Med Gulls and hirundines. A pleasant couple of hours. #kentbirding

It was an early bird. Three Wheatear on Kingsgate golf course, a busy Garden Warbler, singing Chiffchaff, and 3 Whitethroat on the walk to Foreness Point. Merlin suggested a Richard's Pipit but I could only hear a feisty House Sparrow. Not much out to sea. #kentbirding @kentishplover.bsky.social

A few days in Margate this weekend with time for some sea-watching off Foreness Point. Highlights so far include Fulmar, Sandwich Terns and 21 Little Gulls passing east at 7pm. Hoping some good passage birds will appear over the next 3 mornings. #kentbirding #ukbirding @kentishplover.bsky.social

A pair of Garganey yesterday at Welney @wwtworldwide.bsky.social Fortunately for her, the drake was pretty quick on the job. An elusive pair of Tree Sparrows finally showed up at 4.45 after the dominant House Sparrows had quietened down a bit. Cafe serves an excellent pastie too. #birdinguk

The village year total is creeping up with this week's addition of Swallow, Willow Warbler, Whitethroat and Woodlark bringing my to #76. #berksbirds #lowcarbonbirding

My 72nd bird in the village this year was Mandarin Duck. A pair flew along the hedgerow down the slope in this photo. I've been out daily looking for Wheatear or other migrants, without success so far. They're just down the road but I'm hoping they'll visit my patch. #ukbirding #lowcarbonbirding

A trip to the Fens today to collect Mum for her Easter hols was a good excuse to call in at Welney @wwtworldwide.bsky.social where I cut my birding teeth as a teenager. Highlights included 12 Common Crane, a Spoonbill, a couple of Ruff among the hundreds of Blackwits. #ukbirding

Caddis larvae from a pond-dip yesterday. #pondlife

Brown Hare, Yellowhammer (3 singing males) and a water louse from a pond dip in the village yesterday. A flock of c70 Fieldfare was a highlight of the day. #berksbirds #lowcarbonbirding

Fine day out at Stanpit Marsh and Hengistbury Head on Monday with friends from NDOC and @berksbirdclub.bsky.social I noted 52 species and added Shag and Wheatear to my year list (127, of which 71 in my home village). The Stonechats, Dartford Warblers and Greenfinches were delightful. #ukbirding

I led a @berksbirdclub.bsky.social trip to Titchfield Haven today. Highlights included a gorgeous huddle of 90+ Sanderling on the beach, lots of Mediterranean Gulls, Marsh Marigold and a drake Goosander. Avocets, Blackwits and 2 pairs of Marsh Harriers were around all day. #ukbirding #hantsbirds

Digging up invasive Skunk Cabbage from a wet woodland in the village this week. Lots of progress but there's more to do. Scarlet Cup and Blackthorn noticed during the morning. #conservation #invasivespecies

There were three Greylag in the mist this morning. The first I've seen in the parish this year (we don't have enough standing water to float a Goose).

A lovely afternoon to be out. This phone-scoped Treecreeper at Bottom Lane gravel pit sat motionless for a couple of minutes (perhaps hoping I hadn't spotted it). Lots of Siskin still around too. #berksbirds

Nothing new for the year but a few delightful sights in the village this week: 1. Brambling 2. Redpoll 3. Siskin 4. Firecrest 5. Bullfinch #berksbirds #mortimerbigyear

Anticipating Ken and Linda Smith's talk tonight at @berksbirdclub.bsky.social on Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers. Here's my 2020 woodcut monoprint on vintage wallpaper, about their decline since the wallpaper was made - from a series shown in So'ton and Reading. @lesserspotnet.bsky.social #berksbirds

Brambling still around in the village yesterday. With the addition of Redpoll on my morning walk today, I'm now on 64 species within Stratfield Mortimer parish. Not bad for the first six weeks of the year.

A couple of hours at Warsash yesterday before a meeting put me into a small group of Knot among the Dunlin. My 120th species of the year. There were several Little Grebes and GCG on the water but no divers or other grebes in evidence. #hantsbirds

Brent Goose (dark-bellied) in a neighbouring parish this morning. My 201st bird species in Berkshire, 88th Berkshire bird this year. Found, as usual, by Andy Merrick. #berksbirds

And this little video. This male and a female were among about 200 Chaffinches along with a Reed Bunting, five Yellowhammers and a smattering of Linnets. I spent an hour and half watching them in order to work out what they all were...great fun.