Martinselkonen, eastern Finland.........

14-17 July - Two evenings in the extensive forests of Finland border with Russia, and amazing awe-inspiring views watching wild Brown Bears. Males, females and cubs all seen at the feeding station, impressive indeed at close quarters..... muscular and slow-moving yet at the same time graceful and intimidating, especially when looking down the camera. The ornithological back-up cast quite impressive around the lakes and marshes - Brambling, Great Grey Shrike, Waxwing, Wood Sandpiper, Whooper Swan, Honey Buzzard, White-tailed and Golden Eagles, and Black-throated Diver. A beautiful part of the world, seemingly endless forests, quiet, welcoming people, and fascinating but unobtrusive wildlife.

Blakehill in summer........

July 9 - A morning visit to Blakehill in blustery weather, but despite that reasonable views of a male Redstart. Also seen - a flyby Hobby, a Red Kite floating around and, surprisingly, a singing Reed Bunting. Also a Red Kite over the garden today.

New Forest..........

7 July - a surprisingly successful morning in the New Forest in view of the fairly cloudy weather. A couple of hours at Acres Down produced several sightings of Goshawk, then eventually good but rather distant views of a circling pale morph Honey Buzzard.......typical flat profile with elastic wing and tail movements in the breeze. Also Sparrowhawk and Common Buzzard. Other species logged here included several Woodlarks, Cuckoo, Stonechat, and flyover Crossbills, Siskins and Redpoll. A very satisfactory morning, with the added bonus of 6 Red Kites seen on the journey home, and several Silver-studded Blues on the heather at Acres Down itself.

Nightjars at Greenham.......

5 July - An evening trip to Greenham Common with Richard Williams, a fine cool evening with little wind. In the open area on the S side we heard the first Nightjar at 2152h and had 2 flight views of a bird showing the typical gliding flight. An amazing sound, ventriloqual and almost throbbing in the still air. A Barn Owl also made a brief appearance, but no sign of any roding Woodcock.

Great Knot, not a "Great Dot" .........

June 30 - Good views of the stunning summer-plumaged Great Knot at Titchwell, with the large flock of non-breeding Knot - a larger bird, chestnut and black upperparts, black chest and shoulders and flank spots. Privileged to see this rapidly declining species so well - one of those species from the East Asian Flyway that is suffering dramatically from the reclamation of the Yellow Sea mudflats. This superb, proper photo was taken by, copyright, John Richardson.

Mull and Outer Hebrides........

4-22 June - amazing trip, with a list including the following - all 3 Divers in summer plumage, Golden and White-tailed Eagles, Hen Harriers, Merlin, Short-eared Owls, many breeding waders with chicks including Red-necked Phalaropes and lekking Ruff, Puffins at point-blank range on Staffa, many Black Guillemots, Storm Petrels and Manx Shearwaters, numerous Cuckoos, Whinchats and Wheatears, Arctic Tern colonies and odd Little Terns, also good views of several Otters, Grey and Common Seals and Red Deer. Not to mention amazing landscapes and sunsets........