This Roesel’s Bush Cricket was a surprise just now in our conservatory here in Colchester. Not only a first for the garden but also a lifer for me.

1 Purple Emperor still in Fridaywoods Colchester. In first clearing E of cherry tree lane crossroads 15:10. Battling against the wind along Oak edges.

A quick visit to Abberton Res this morning produced this Emerald and a Blue-tailed Damselfly on the pond at the Visitor centre entrance. This Brown Argus and Southern Migrant Hawker were also about.

Peacocks and Red Admirals 4 of each visiting Buddlieas in our Colchester garden today. 3 Commas and 6 Gatekeepers. This Essex Skipper and Green-eyed Flower Bee also visiting. And Purple Hairstreak.

Still a bit surreal when 2 Ravens fly over our garden here in Colchester just now whilst we watered the garden. Still the usual butterflies here 3 Red Ad, 3 Peacock…

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A real nice Timelapse of the Aurora from last night. Love videos like this.

The faint pinkish Aurora from tonight here in Colchester. Bottom photo taken at 23:30 top photo taken at 23:55. A few Perseids also seen.

Some glorious photo in here. Fantastic 👍

Late to the party but finally added Jersey Tiger to the garden list today here in Colchester. 2-3 Red Admirals, Comma, Holly Blues etc and Blackcaps feeding on Elder berries.

The Ivy in our Colchester garden is now humming with insects in the glorious September sunshine. Bees, flies, Hornets, Small Copper, Red Admirals and this Painted Lady.

Enjoyed a visit to Abberton Res this a’noon with the little one. Highlight for me being a confiding Wheatear at the south end of LDLH c’way and 2 juv Hobbies. Plus Painted Lady.

Enjoyed a morning visit to Abberton today. The Pectoral Sandpiper still distantly from Hide Bay hide. Plus the Lithuanian ringed GWE still. And a Painted lady. Also a 1cy Caspian Gull from LDLH c’way, 3 Green Sandpipers, 1 Common Sand there also.

Enjoyed a rather blustery visit to Abberton this morning. The Pec Sand still in Hide bay, 2 Black necked grebes still E of LB c’way. 2 Ruff wig bay.

In a blustery Southerly wind this distant Arctic Skua circled North up the river Colne past Cudmore grove CP Essex at 12:50 today, it was my birding highlight whilst out with the kids. 9 Sandwich Terns W. Steady trickle of Swallows over.

That was really nice last night here in Essex. So good to see other people’s photos and be able to join in on the experience together. Awesome! And around 1am the pink glow stretched high overhead. Phone photos.

This calling Firecrest in our Colchester garden was showing really nicely as well in the Holly tree this morning. 30+Redwing south, 4 Grey Heron also. A lovely start to the day.

This evening whilst taking the rubbish out there were 2 Firecrests together in our Holly tree here in Colchester. In the 7 years of living here I’ve always dreamed that one day I would have one in that tree. Y’day and today that came true. Need to aim higher now 🤣

One of the Firecrests put in an appearance in Colchester garden this a’noon, in the Holly tree again. Plus a female Blackcap Plus a fly over Great White Egret flew SW towards Abberton. ( unfortunately I was 200mtrs from home so couldn’t garden tick it) 😩🤣

The Yellow-browed Warbler was still at Cudmore grove CP Mersea island Essex this morning. Calling distantly near the pond and then ventured nearer next to the path when the tit flock passed by. Here’s a quick video of its call