Common Rosefinch Martin Down (Sat 23 May).
Perfect timing of my return from overseas on Friday to connect with the first twitchable Rosefinch in Hampshire.
I am glad it returned early evening allowing some photos as I had arrived only to hear it sing and see it fly off south.
A busy bank holiday weekend back in the UK - I couldn’t resist the Ross’s Gull in Essex (my 10th in UK although I have not seen two in the same year before 2026) and Lesser Kestrel in Cornwall (my last one in the UK was in 2002 although I was watching them in Spain last week…..
American Golden Plover, Hook-with-Warsash LNR, Hampshire (06/04/26).
I went back to try for better photos today and got lucky with a flyby as the tide came in causing it to relocate.
@HOSbirding@HantsIWWildlife
@denmor77@HOSbirding@HantsIWWildlife Thanks Dennis. Certainly the best I have ever had opportunity to take. A very lucky encounter considering this bird mostly gives distant views.
American Golden Plover, Hook-with-Warsash LNR, Hampshire (01/04/26).
We have been lucky with species in Hampshire for the last two years - I have seen one in both April 2025 & 2026. Although this years bird is more distant & the photo below is heavily cropped. My 6th in Hants.
Forster’s Tern, Poole Park, Dorset. Tues 10 March 2026.
A few more photos attached.
It finally showed mid afternoon and was worth the wait giving the best views I have had of this annually returning bird over the last 4 years.
@DorsetWildlife@DorsetBirdClub
Forster’s Tern, Poole Park, Dorset Tues 10 Mar 2026.
Having seen it on 3 Mar 2026 but mostly distant out in the harbour I decided to return since the bird had been ‘reliably’ visiting Poole Park at closer range.
An 8 hour vigil was finally rewarded at c. 3pm.
@DorsetWildlife
@dartfordtrapper Nice photos James. Great to catch up yesterday and I am glad you guys got back quickly and connected with the Forster’s Tern. It flew off again just as you were driving away…..
Pacific Diver giving good scope views off Penlee Point, Newlyn, Cornwall yesterday Fri 27 Feb 2026.
Even though relatively close in, it was a little far out for photos however it was great to see this bird after failing to locate it earlier in the week.
@CBWPS1
The rather stunning 1w Ross’s Gull performed well in Newlyn, Cornwall on Tuesday (24 Feb 2026).
I love seeing these dainty gulls - My 2nd in Cornwall and 9th in the UK.
@CBWPS1@BirdGuides@RareBirdAlertUK
A few more photos of the superb 1w Ross’s Gull at Newlyn Harbour, Cornwall.
These were taken during a return visit on Fri 27 Feb 2026 although raining at times.
The trip also yielded Pacific Diver, Iceland, Bonaparte’s & Ring-billed Gulls which I did not see earlier in the week.