Mike Morse

Last day of a trip to Oman... Great views of my two most wanted amongst a list of some really great birds...

I'm really hoping they stick around 🫰for tomorrow...

The White-fronts were still around at 11.00am, but were likely disturbed by a group of walkers that passed us heading towards the Mere. The party of Brents included this gorgeous juvenile.

Two Russian W-fronted Geese currently on and around West Bex Mere + 6 Brent's.

I belive it was Martin Garner who described them as such....

Brilliant Simon, great stuff.

No grey geese for us sadly, but a couple of Sibe Chiffs showed well at West Bex.

Thanks...quite a surprise when I put the milk bottles out. Nice looking moth.

Just found an Olive-tree Pearl on my front door... seems quite late Paul? @paulupwey.bsky.social

One of two Firecrests at Cogden this morning...

Sibe Chiff at West Bex this morning...

It didn’t look like that when we saw it! 🌚

... sorry, just seen Brett's reply but for future birds, the short pencil line in the supercilium above the eye is almost diagnostic... rarely seen in Yell

Hi Andy, that is a Cirl Bunting...

I hope you think it was time well invested Gav and thank you for sorting that Greenland Repoll out... we completely fluffed it. 👍

Great stuff...

Given its size (50-60cm) and location (top of a fairly mature tree) we're assuming this is a Asian Hornet nest at West Bex. It's been reported and if confirmed is likely to be of significant concern to the local bee keepers...

Looks just like the sketch in my notebook!

A glorious morning with a Short-eared Owl out to sea at dawn the highlight. Other good birds included 5/6 Cirl Buntings, Firecrest and Black Redstart.

One of two Black Redstarts around West Bex village this morning.... our first of the autumn. More importantly, we have water in the Mere at long last with Gulls & wildfowl to search through. Happy days...

That's good, I was worried the 'fags' might have got him... please pass on my regards when you see him next..

I seem to remember we travelled up with Dick Reader... is he still with us?

Seen this Dave... @westcoastbirds.bsky.social

It wouldn't surprise me... you're on a roll over there.

We've seen this Merlin at West Bex every day since Friday, but this morning was the first time we found it settled... a little cracker.

Well in those days we were both working and we had to wait until the weekend... I think we travelled up on the Saturday and the bird showed rather well!!

Not everywhere... the Swannery birds seem to stay local or fly east... we see very few and have none so far this year!

Hi Mark, bird on the left is the CR Baltic Gull I had at West Bexington two years ago. Bird on the right I saw here this spring. If anything with tiny white tips to primaries and small mirror on P10 it looks a better bird.. just no ring!

Ours was late morning Martin, just after 11.00am but still there when we left 30 minutes later.

A Red-necked Grebe was a bit of a surprise off West Bex this morning. A little distant and crap light but still a smart bird...