A few hours at Blithfield in Blithe Bay this morning produced 3 fem Mandarin, 2 Red Kite, Peregrine, 1st S Caspian Gull(photos), 1st S YL Gull, 40+ Common Tern, 5 Ringie, Curlew ⁦Staffs Bird News⁩

Couple of hours at Gailey Res this morning produced 2 Egyptian Geese, 4 ad Oyc + 1 well grown chick, Common Sand, 2+Yellow Wag, Marsh Tit. Hoping the next water level stays this low going into Autumn ⁦Staffs Bird News⁩

Despite the grey and windy weather me & Dave took a short walk from home over the old Littleton pit site towards Shoal Hill. At least 10 Marbled Whites seen keeping low down with Ringlets, Meadow Browns and Small Heaths.

Couple of hours at Gailey Res were very quiet for birds. Some nice views of butterflies though including this Purple Hairstreak & Essex Skipper.

Took an early afternoon walk with the family from home to the old Littleton Pit Site. Very pleasant with Marbled Whites, Small Heaths, Pyramidal Orchids amongst other flora before having our own Glasto with music, BBQ, beer & pool 🎸☀️🍻

Nice views of Hummingbird Hawkmoth feeding on honeysuckle in my garden late afternoon

Today is gonna be a good day. #BlackSabbath #metal

Early morning visit to Gailey Res before the heat was quiet.2 Common Tern,2 ad Oyc with well grown chick,& 2 Bullfinch(first here for some time) only birds of note.A few Red-Eyed Damselflies kept interest.The water level remains v low so could be interesting in the coming weeks

With the heat,spent most of yday & today watching the garden buddleia.Also took a walk from home over the old Littleton pit site.14 species of butterfly was decent given a few regulars missing due to flight periods.The most Gatekeepers I have seen in years! A few Siskin over too.

Blithfield 06:45-13:00 causeway to top of Blithe produced Peregrine,7 YL Gull, 50+Common Tern,sev Ringie,11 Dunlin,5 Common Sand,Redshank,2 Greenshank,5 Blackwit, Whimbrel dropped in 12:15, Sedge Wblr, Siskin over. Also Turnstone seen by MPR early morning ⁦Staffs Bird News⁩

Hour at Gailey Res between showers this evening produced a decent count of 6 Common Sand. Also present 3 Common Tern, 3 Oyc, Yellow Wag, a few hundred Sand Martins, 35 Linnet. Still hoping the shore will produce at some point. ⁦Staffs Bird News⁩

Quick after work visit to Gailey Res produced Great Egret on the sailing lake + 6 Oyc ⁦Staffs Bird News⁩

Very sad to hear of the passing of metal legend Ozzy Osbourne. He & Black Sabbath started the music I love. Feel very privileged to have attended the recent Back to the Beginning concert. RIP Ozzie ❤️🤘

Evening walk at Blithfield into Blithe Bay produced Great Egret, 1st S Caspian Gull, 6 YL Gull, 60+Common Tern, 3 Ringie, 10+LRP, 10 Dunlin, 5 Common Sand, 2 Blackwit ⁦Staffs Bird News⁩

Early finish from work today. As I returned Dave said ‘can we go to Gailey daddy?’. Who I am to refuse. Only Kingfisher and the usual 2 Oyc noted but great to spend time with the lad enjoying nature.

Well timed birthday party for one of Dave’s mates, allowed us to take time and pay our respects to Ozzy. Unbelievable turnout with thousands of people paying homage to the founders of heavy metal 🤘❤️

After a delayed flight & arrival in the early hours we settled at our hotel in Turkey nr Fethiye.A chilled day around the hotel didn’t produce anything unexpected but saw a few Laughing Doves,Alpine Swift & sev Red-Rumped Swallow.A fantastic Turkish lunch made the day even better

Another great day yday in Turkey. Stunning scenery and a few more birds seen.

A couple of walks from the hotel in Turkey last couple of days & plenty of time looking up has been quiet bird wise. Mediterranean Shag,2 White-Spectacled Bulbuls,Laughing Doves, 20+Alpine Swifts regularly above, plenty of Red-Rumped Swallow the best. Scenery absolutely fantastic

A very pleasant past couple of days enjoying family time in Turkey including a boat trip to Fethiye. Birds remain quiet but constant Red-Rumped swallows & Alpine Swifts keep me entertained. A few Millet Skippers new for the butterfly list.