Mission accomplished at Loompit Lake near Levington this morning when James & I found a couple of Lesser Emperors: my first of the year. Three Clouded Yellows at Landguard Bird Obs a little later.

30 years ago today I found this Eastern Olivaceous Warbler at Beach Farm, Benacre

Brian Small & I are continuing to lead our popular day walks along the Suffolk coast for Naturetrek this autumn, from Shingle Street in the south to Benacre in the north. Brian's pics: Avocet, Hobby, Whinchat, Wheatear. See naturetrek.co.uk/about-us/tourl… & naturetrek.co.uk/about-us/tourl…

Lots going on currently, so this morning’s walk at Landguard Bird Obs was very precious. We found two Whinchats, watched a summer plumage Red-throated Diver land on the sea before flying north, then enjoyed a confiding Purple Sandpiper near the jetty. Clouded Yellow pic is from Fri.

The last few days on Patch at Walthamstow Wetlands have been ok though a little dull at times but today was great! This juv Little Stint made me rush out again after I had just arrived home! Also so far this week, Curlew, Yellow Wagtail, Wheatear, Hobby, Little Owl, Ringo, YLG.

A day up the coast catching up with a friend today. Had my best views so far of Zitting Cisticola at Walberswick despite the rain, then headed to Kessingland. Patience was rewarded when the Barred Warbler was relocated having gone missing for four hours: we had cracking views.

Some good birds recently in Cambs and Kent recently. Highlights are Guillemot, finding a White-winged Tern at Oare (and catching up with one at Fen Drayton), Bonaparte's Gull, Whimbrel Water Rail and a Beaver!

Landguard this morning in the sunshine produced Pied Flycatcher, Black Redstart & various warblers. Instead of heading home I nipped to Shingle Street where I glimpsed the Greenish Warbler and was thrilled to hear it subsinging as well as calling.

My best morning of the autumn so far at Landguard yesterday with Pied Flycatcher, Common & Black Redstarts, Whinchat, Wheatear + a bonus self-found Tree Sparrow. Looking back through my notebooks it appears to be my first on the Suffolk coast this century!

From Jan 1st 2026 the following species have been moved to category 2 and will require a description: Grey Phalarope, Wood Warbler and Barred Warbler.

From Jan 1st 2026 Roseate Tern will be moved to category 3 and will not require a description though in some cases one may be requested.

Too windy for bush bashing at Landguard today, so Josh Peverley & I tried seawatching nearby (1 Gannet in 45 minutes) then pottered at Felixstowe Ferry. Found 150 Golden Plovers upriver, before this juvenile Caspian Gull at the jetty proved to be instructive as well as obliging!

From Jan 1st 2026 Red-necked Grebe will be moved to Category 2 and require a description.

Suffolk submissions for 2024 sent off today to UK RBBP and British Birds (re rare breeders and scarce migrants). Many thanks to everyone who helped, especially our county recorders and of course all the observers who sent in records. Job done for another year! Suffolk Bird Records

A phylloscopus warbler that flicked up in the orchard by Gt. Wig church revealing a strong pale super and dark eye stripe and short wing bar, eventually showed well enough to nail as Arctic warbler.

34 glossy ibis in-off between minsmere and sizewell this afternoon. wow!

Have been enjoying birding Ditton Meadows recently. Today saw 2 Pied Flycatcher, 7 Whinchat, Spotted Flycatcher, many Hirundines and Yellow Wagtails. In the past week have had Redstart, Tree Pipit, Grasshopper Warbler and more Spotted Flycatchers. Cambs Bird Club

A beautiful Oriental Plover on the Mongolian steppe below Yolyn Am. We encountered three other males doing their crazy tilting display flights.

Great morning at Landguard today with excellent views of Wryneck, Hoopoe and Red-veined Darter.

Looking forward to #Migfest tomorrow. In advance enjoyed a lovely day’s birding today, with Dipper & Red Grouse (N York Moors) and Gannets (Bempton) then Black Terns, Little Gull, Curlew Sandpipers and Little Stints (Hornsea).