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Two significant birding anniversaries: 30 yrs ago today I dashed to Cornwall with James McGill for a Baillon's Crake at Stithians Reservoir; and 25 yrs ago I was facing a classic twitching dilemma - 2 ticks potentially on offer, but which way to go? birdingtales.blogspot.com/2020/05/which-…

10 years ago today, an amused reception committee was waiting for me at Portland Bird Observatory , watching me arrive sweaty from Top Fields before flinging myself to Norfolk for a gripback I never expected to get, and certainly not so quickly: birdingtales.blogspot.com/2020/05/citril…

A good county yearlisting day, with min 421 Manx and a Guillemot off Porlock Weir, then great views of Grasshopper Warbler on Exmoor. Great views too of Nightjar at a regular spot on the Blackdowns this evening, at least a week earlier than usual. Somerset yearlist now 192.

Teal at Buston Links showing 3pm on southernmost pool by big willow. Has just copulated with its drake Shoveler mate. Finder has been doing more research and leaning towards Shoveler x Blue-winged Teal hybrid. I don't have a scooby but may as well see it as I'm up here anyway.

Currently just off the mighty Coquet with Puffin Cruises. Roseates aplenty in gorgeous evening light. Going to be late for dinner but I don't care. Heaven!

Another day, another Northumberland tick -this time Great White Egret. Bog easy down home now but I've serially missed them up here. Was kinda hoping for juicy passerine drift migrants while here, but it hasn't been happening. Birding's been great anyway - trip list now 112.

Quieter last couple of days but still some good birds to be seen. Willow Tit a highlight today. Spent some of yday pm in the brilliant Harthope Valley. Stunning scenery. Trip list now 131.

For #SuperSeabirdSunday , more of a location pic, really. Kittiwakes below the lighthouse on Coquet Island last Wednesday. David Steel

Best from 3hrs seawatch at Newbiggin this am were a stonking sum plum GN Diver and a small pod of Bottlenose Dolphins. Best for the rest of the day were 2 Wood Sands at Druridge Pools and 3 Garganey and a late Pinkfoot at Hauxley.

Heading home today from Northumberland. But I couldn't resist a visit to Long Nanny this am to reacquaint myself with the gorgeous American Black Tern. Bit of a wait till she showed, but standing watching Arctic Terns at v close range not exactly a hardship. Trip list 137.

Absolutely insane intercept - saw it live on Reed Timmer, PhD 's YT livestream.

Best pic yet of this v smart bird?

Lapwing defending its nest site from a great white egret. At Catcott Lows yesterday afternoon. Somerset Wildlife Trust Avalon Marshes bto_somerset1 Somerset Birds

V enjoyable dragonfly transect RSPB Ham Wall this pm. Brown Hawker, 3 Norfolk Hawkers, 2 Lesser Emperors the highlights, but also NFY Black-tailed Skimmer and Small Red-eyed Damsel. Birds included flyover Bittern and Red Kite.

Lesser Emperor in Dorset today