Twitching at My Age! Long-tailed Shrike.

A Long Way for a Long-tailed Shrike 

Monday 24th August 2026

Eastleach Martin, Gloucestershire

At the recent raptor watch at the Old Llama Park, Alastair mentioned how good it was when he saw the Long-tailed Shrike at Eastleach Martin in Gloucestershire. My first thought was that Gloucestershire was a bit too far for me these days, until he pointed out that it was close to Oxford.

My geography is normally pretty good, but I had clearly lost the plot with this one! Oxford is just about the limit of my driving these days, and I hadn't realised how close the bird was to the Oxfordshire–Gloucestershire border and the chance to see a Long-tailed Shrike was too good to miss. Martin, a former resident of the Oxford area, was also keen to go, so we set off.

The bird would be a lifer for me and, as this was its first appearance in England, it was a new bird for everyone. The only previous British record was at South Uist in 2000. This individual had been present since 8th July and had been showing well ever since.

A Star Performer

We arrived at around 1.00 pm after a tedious journey of more than three hours, with numerous hold-ups along the way. We joined around 15 other birders and, fortunately, didn't have to wait long for the first sighting.

Every now and then it would fly to another nearby perch, but it never went far and continued to give us excellent views.

The Supporting Cast

There was also a good selection of other birds around, including this smart Whinchat, sitting proudly at the top of the bush with the shrike below it to the left.

Martin's photographs capture the scenes perfectly.

• A very friendly Wheatear was also showing well nearby. 
• Earlier, other birders had seen Grey Partridge and Corn Buntings, adding a few more species to an already memorable afternoon.

Summary

After such a long journey, we couldn't have asked for a better result. A superb bird, fantastic views and a new lifer for me - definitely worth the drive!

New species for the 2026 Year List:

186  Long-tailed Shrike

187  Whinchat

My UK life list now stands at 371 after this my second "lifer" of the year.

A Very Long Way from Home

Long-tailed Shrikes are normally birds of Asia, with their range stretching across Central and eastern Asia, so this bird had certainly travelled a long way from home. It is thought to be a first-summer bird of the northern, migratory form Lanius schach erythronotus, which makes Central Asia a possible area of origin, although there is no way of knowing exactly where it came from.

Quite how it found its way to Gloucestershire is another matter. It was presumably the result of an exceptional navigational error, possibly helped along by favourable winds, and it is remarkable to think that a bird whose normal range is thousands of miles to the east should eventually turn up in a field on the Gloucestershire–Oxfordshire border.

Even more remarkable is that it wasn't just a one-off. Another Long-tailed Shrike appeared at Crail in Fife only weeks earlier, making 2026 an extraordinary year for this exceptionally rare visitor to Britain.

More Honey Buzzard Observations

Honey Buzzards at the Old Llama Park

Sunday 23rd August 2026

Martin rang to ask if I fancied another visit to the Old Llama Park viewing point to look for Honey Buzzards. It was a no-brainer. With summer beginning to draw to a close, it seemed the perfect time to catch up with these wonderful birds before they leave Ashdown Forest and begin their long migration back to Africa for the winter.

We arrived at the viewing point to find another birder already in position - Jeffrey - and we soon joined forces for the morning. Jeffrey turned out to be none other than Sir Jeffrey, a retired British diplomat and Knight of the Realm. You never quite know who you are going to meet at an Ashdown Forest viewpoint!  I hope you enjoyed the morning, Sir Jeffrey.

Alastair then arrived to provide the expertise we needed, while Brian, a local birder whom we were meeting for the first time, completed our little team for the morning.

Honey Buzzards on Show

And what a morning it turned out to be.

We were treated to multiple sightings of two, and possibly three, Honey Buzzards as they moved around the forest. After several previous visits, it was particularly satisfying to see the birds performing so well.

The undoubted highlight was a spectacular wing-clapping display by the pale male. Watching a Honey Buzzard displaying over the forest is always a special experience, and this was a particularly memorable performance.

A Great Morning's Birding

As the morning progressed, it became increasingly clear that we had struck lucky. Multiple sightings, a stunning display and good company made this another very worthwhile visit to the viewing point.

If you want a flavour of how good the morning was, take a look at the excellent images from Martin and Brian below. They have captured some of the action far better than words can describe.

The pale male - courtesy of Martin Jeffree

The pale male displaying- courtesy of Martin Jeffree

His mate - courtesy of Martin Jeffree

Here's Brian's take on the event.

The pale male - courtesy of Brian Mead

The female - courtesy of Brian Mead

With the Honey Buzzards now entering the final part of their stay on Ashdown Forest, opportunities to see them will soon be running out. They still have a long journey ahead of them, but for now it was great to see them looking so settled and full of energy.

Another memorable morning watching one of our most enigmatic summer visitors.

Twitching at Dungeness

Wednesday 19th August 2026

It’s almost a month since our last outing with the Ashdown Bird Group, and with nothing else in the programme until 30th August, I was keen to get out and do some birding of my own. The recent spell of hot weather finally seemed to have eased, and the latest local bird news was pointing firmly towards Dungeness as the place to be.

Black Terns and a selection of waders had been reported, and with rain forecast for much of the morning and into the early afternoon, it seemed like a good opportunity to concentrate on waterbirds. Armed with a wish list of five species — White-winged Black Tern, Black Tern, Wood Sandpiper, Little Stint and Wheatear — I set off for Dungeness, hoping for a productive day.

As it turned out, it was considerably better than I had dared to hope, with four of my five target species eventually making it onto the list.

Black Terns

I started at the RSPB reserve, where two juvenile Black Terns were showing exceptionally well on the muddy areas in front of the Firth Lookout. They were largely settled, only taking flight when disturbed by other birds arriving on the mud, before quickly returning to the same area.

It was a very satisfactory start to the day — and, perhaps even better, the rain had stopped!

White-winged Black Tern

The White-winged Black Tern was the next target. It hadn’t been showing when I arrived, but the assembled birders had seen it only a short time earlier, so there was every reason to remain optimistic.

Fortunately, I didn’t have to wait long. The bird appeared in the same area as the two Black Terns and gave us some excellent, close views.

Both pictures were taken from Bluesky and attributed to Richard Watkin

Two targets down and both had performed beautifully. Another roaring success!

Little Stint — the One That Got Away

There was, however, one bird that refused to play ball. Despite searching, there was no sign of the Little Stint.

My first — and ultimately only — dip of the day.

Three more targets remained.

Wood Sandpiper

I crossed the road to the ARC pit and headed for the Hanson Hide, where two birders who had already been there for some time told me they had failed to find the Wood Sandpiper, despite having recorded more than 40 species.

As I had plenty of time on my hands, I decided to settle in and continue searching after they had left.

Eventually, I spotted what looked like a promising candidate walking along the edge of the water on the far side of the pit. Unfortunately, before I could get a really good look, it disappeared behind the vegetation.

Other birders came and went, all searching for the same elusive wader, but without success.

Then local birder Richard arrived. It wasn’t long before he picked out the same bird I had seen earlier. This time, however, we had both the time and the technology to clinch the identification.

Wood Sandpiper — nailed it!

My patience had finally paid off.

Wheatears

The final target was Wheatear, and once again local knowledge came to the rescue.

Richard suggested trying the inland shingle areas beside the concrete path leading towards the fishing boats. It proved to be excellent advice, as I soon found at least two Wheatears.

They were particularly entertaining, repeatedly flying from the ground to perch on the top of a tall structure made up of five sections, each consisting of five or six panels.

A very satisfying way to finish the day.

Thanks, Richard — your local knowledge certainly came in handy!

Four Out of Five

So, four out of five targets achieved — White-winged Black Tern, Black Tern, Wood Sandpiper and Wheatear — with only the Little Stint missing from the wish list.

Not bad at all for a day’s solo twitching at Dungeness. The weather may have been distinctly damp at times, but the birds certainly made up for it. Sometimes you just need to pick the right place, keep looking and, in the case of the Wood Sandpiper, have a little patience.

And perhaps a helpful local birder or two doesn’t hurt either!

New species for the 2026 Year List:
182  Black Tern

183  White-winged Black Tern

184  Wood Sandpiper

185  Wheatear

Oare Marshes with the Ashdown Bird Group Sunday 26th July 2026

Birding Triumphs Despite the Drought

Despite Oare Marshes being parched and cracked after weeks of intense summer heat, the Ashdown Bird Group still enjoyed a remarkably productive day's birding. Nine members took part in the outing, including Steve—Martin's friend and former work colleague  and Dave, who was making his first visit to Oare Marshes. Together we recorded an impressive 59 bird species, proving that even in the harshest conditions the reserve can still produce first-class birding.

The long‑staying Bonaparte’s Gull stole the show once again, offering close views on the East Flood. In Phils photograph it is flanked by 2 black-headed gulls.

Courtesy of Phil Aylen

Other highlights included 2 Green Sandpipers, a wonderfully obliging Water Rail, a tricky Ruff, and distant but confirmed views of a Turtle Dove - a welcome addition to the group’s 2026 list. Cattle Egrets were abundant, reflecting their continuing expansion across southern England.

2 Green Sandpipers along the reedbed edges - courtesy of Phil Aylen

Ruff near the gull - courtesy of Martin Jeffree

The walk along Faversham Creek added Whimbrel, Yellow Wagtails, and Linnets, while the afternoon at Dan’s Dock brought a fleeting Stonechat but no sign of early Whinchats. With birding quieter later on, the group also enjoyed excellent views of Ruddy Darters, Marsh Frogs and other non‑avian wildlife.

Whimbrel - courtesy of Phil Aylen

Yellow Wagtail - courtesy of Phil Aylen

A day that began with unpromising conditions turned into a memorable and thoroughly enjoyable visit - proof that even in a drought, Oare Marshes can still deliver surprises.

New species for the 2026 Year List:
178  Bonaparte's Gull

179  Green Sandpiper

180  Ruff

181   Whimbrel

Barn Owl in Uckfield

17th July 2026

Uckfield

Phil tipped me off about a Barn Owl location yesterday, so I took the first opportunity to visit this evening. The owls were visible in the nest box, regularly appearing at the entrance.  Around 9:30 pm, one took flight - presumably heading out to hunt for food for its chicks.

New species for the 2026 Year List:
177  Barn Owl

Red-crested Pochards Breeding at Chichester Gravel Pits

 

Red-crested Pochard Family at Chichester Gravel Pits – 4th July 2026

The Red-crested Pochard isn't a particularly rare bird in Britain, but it's one I haven't come across very often. So, when I heard about a family of six at Chichester Gravel Pits, it seemed too good an opportunity to miss.

On a very warm Saturday afternoon, the area was busy with people enjoying the sunshine, most of them staying in the nearby holiday chalets rather than looking for birds.

After a long walk from the car park along the west side of Ivy Lake, I explored the western edges of New Lake, Runcton Lake, Vinnetrow Lake and Leythorn Lake before finally spotting the family on New Lake during the return leg of the walk. While there was plenty of activity on the water, this little family drifted serenely around on the far side of the lake, seemingly unbothered by everything going on around them.

It was well worth the walk and a real pleasure to catch up with this handsome duck family.

 
New species for the 2026 Year List:
176 Red-crested Pochard

Caspian Gull at last! My first "lifer" of the year

Thursday 2nd July 2026
Dungeness and the Walland Marsh

“The One That Kept Getting Away”

My scepticism was well founded. One bird I have chased time and again since taking early retirement is the Caspian Gull. Most sightings have been well away from Sussex – in Cambridgeshire, Norfolk or Suffolk – and every trip seemed to end with the same frustrating words:

"You've just missed it. It was here, but it's just left."

When one turned up at Dungeness yesterday, I was doubly frustrated because my car was in for a major service and I couldn't get there. Then came today's news that it was still present. That was all the encouragement I needed, and shortly after lunch I set off on the 90-minute drive to Dungeness.

At Last - Success!
As I walked into the viewing point outside Dennis's Hide, I was greeted with the words I'd almost stopped believing I would hear:

 "It's still here and showing well!"

What a relief!

I quickly found the bird through my binoculars before a friendly Kent birder kindly invited me to look through his telescope for an even better view. Even then, old habits die hard, and I couldn't quite believe my luck. I had deliberately rushed to the viewing point without my own telescope, just in case this long-awaited lifer decided to disappear again before I got there. Once I knew it was settled, I returned to the car to fetch my scope.

The Caspian Tern was resting peacefully on the pebbled island in front of the viewing point, looking completely at ease. After about ten minutes it took to the air, treating us to some superb flight views before drifting away towards Dengemarsh, something it had apparently done several times since arriving.

Courtesy of James Tipple

Courtesy of ??

One More Target Bird

By now it was around 4.30 pm, but there was still one more bird I wanted to catch up with.  For some time I had promised myself that I would finally visit the Tree Sparrows on Walland Marsh. They were once regulars around Boulderwall Farm before relocating to the marsh, where, thanks to some excellent conservation work, the population has recovered well.

 Before leaving the reserve, I had a chat with John, one of the volunteers, who couldn't have been more helpful. He pointed me in the right direction and also mentioned that Wheatears and Yellow Wagtails had been seen along the route.

A Marsh Full of Birds
The walk towards Scotney Court Farm was a pleasure in itself. Scores of Yellow Wagtails brightened the fields, while Corn Buntings and Linnets were also much in evidence. Despite a careful search, the Wheatears remained elusive.

Courtesy of James Tipple

The Tree Sparrows, however, more than made up for it. They were first perched on the roof of the barn before dropping down behind it, where they showed brilliantly and allowed some wonderful close views.

Courtesy of James Tipple

Courtesy of James Tipple

Birders Being Birders

One of the real pleasures of the afternoon was meeting so many friendly birders. Although complete strangers, everyone was happy to share information, stories and advice.

One particularly helpful duo told me about a Little Owl that had been showing at Pigwell, on the road back towards Lydd. They had enjoyed excellent views earlier and very kindly took me to the exact spot before we headed home. Sadly, the owl had other ideas and remained hidden, but at least I now know where to look on future visits to Dungeness.

A Day to Remember

A long-awaited lifer, two valuable year ticks and a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon in good company made the journey more than worthwhile.

Days like this remind me why I still enjoy the occasional twitch. The anticipation, the relief when everything falls into place, the unexpected conversations with fellow birders and, above all, the sheer pleasure of finally connecting with a bird that has evaded me for years.
 

Sometimes persistence really does pay off.

 
 
New species for the 2026 Year List:
173 Caspian Tern
174 Yellow Wagtail

175 Tree Sparrow