Last Swifts ?

12 Aug - Only one Swift over the garden at dusk last night, in unsettled weather, and one seen over Calne briefly this afternoon - maybe the last ones this year ? I took the photo earlier in the summer over the house.

Red Kites

5 Aug - Probably the quietest time of year for birding, through high summer, but 2 Red Kites seen at Aston Rowant NNR in the Chilterns while on a butterfly trip. Record shot taken with 200mm lens. The bird is moulting, with a ragged tail.
Only 2 Swifts over the house this evening - juveniles? their flight seemed a little clumsy. They will be leaving any day now. A sign of autumn along with the darker evenings.

Slimbridge Greenshank

1 July - This superb picture of a Greenshank at Slimbridge (see my entry for July 8) was taken by Bob Shiret. Surely one of the most elegant waders.

Garden Hobby

14 July - A good view of a Hobby flying over the garden as I left for work this morning - the first this year over the house. Photo taken in CWP.

Slimbridge waders

8 July - I called in briefly at Slimbridge at midday, and good numbers of waders present in the showery weather. 5 Greenshanks, 2 Green Sandpipers (1-2), a Redshank and a Little Ringed Plover from Robbie Garnett hide - and excellent close views from South Lake observatory of 80+ Black-tailed Godwits, some in chestnut summer plumage (3-6); 35+ Redshank and 120+ Lapwings. The adult Spoonbill also still present, and awake and preening. Photos JM.

Swifts etc

1 July - Another good evening flying display over the garden, especially by screaming Swifts (1,2) - my maximum count this year is 12. House Martins (3)and Swallows (4) also very active and fledged Swallows are learning to fly.

Otmoor

1 July - A morning trip to the RSPB reserve, the highlight being my first-ever good view of a Grass Snake sunning itself (2) in a ditch near the car park. Birds included a Turtle Dove, 3 Hobbies (7-8), 3 Red Kites, Buzzard, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, an obliging Common Sandpiper by the first screen (3-5) and Lapwing (6), Redshank and Curlew. All photos JM.