Scotland again

23-25 May - another brief Scottish trip in sunny weather. 5 Slavonian Grebes on Loch Ruthven, then on mountain ascents of Gleouraich and Slioch, Ring Ouzel and Wheatear seen, and good numbers of Cuckoos heard, Common Sandpipers calling/flying on the lochs, and a Grasshopper Warbler singing at Kinlochewe - also a pair of Spotted Flycatchers there. 2 Wood Warblers singing in the oakwoods alongside Loch Quoich.

West Highlands odds and ends

16-17 May - a brief fine weather visit to Scotland and to Skye, to finally reach the Cuillin ridge....birds in passing included Red-throated Divers on Loch Ainort and Loch Alsh, a Great Northern Diver on Loch Ainort, and Puffins there also. A couple of Red Kites were along the A835 near Conon Bridge. Cuckoos sang in both Glen Torridon and Glen Sligachan.

Whiskered Tern at Frampton

10 May - an afternoon visit to Frampton and a Whiskered Tern was on the 100-acre pools, seen distantly in flight and perched on posts. Distinctively grey with a blackish belly.

9 May - the high tide the previous day at Fretherne produced a small selection of commoner waders, a Knot and 2 Grey Plover being the highlight.

Forest of Dean

8 May - a morning visit to the Forest of Dean produced the usual summer visitors, in sunny weather, but smaller numbers than usual. A single Wood Warbler (photo, copyright Graham Cox) was all I could find, 3 male Pied Flycatchers sang but were difficult to see, and a Spotted Flycatcher was a bonus. A couple of Tree Pipits sang at Woorgreens.

Grasshopper Warblers

7 May - an evening visit to the West Down end of Cleeve Hill produced 2 singing Grasshopper Warblers, and one was seen well but briefly. Also 3 Cuckoos including a bubbling female.

A week in West Africa - Ghana

27 April -4 May - Rockfowl tour - Yellow-headed Picathartes seen at its cliff nesting colony after a hour-long hike through the steamy rainforest.

Greenham Common....Black Kite

5 May - a brief stop at Greenham Common on the way back from Heathrow - a damp English spring day, a relief after African heat. Woodlarks sang and a female Dartford Warbler showed in the gorse, but the highlight was a Kite that flew low from the east - not the expected Red, but a Black, dull plumage, no rufous and a shorter tail. One of the London Zoo birds??