Southwest....

19 November - A good day in the end, I set off initially to see the Sharp-tailed Sandpiper at Blagdon, which was reported gone, then headed for the Desert Wheatear near Paignton. The Sharp-tailed Sandpiper was then refound at neighbouring Chew Valley Lake later in the morning...
The Desert Wheatear was a smart male and quite confiding around the coastguard buildings at Man Sands, a National Trust valley (Photos 3-6, JM). Also present, a Black Redstart and 10+ Snipe with 20+ Teal on the marshy stream.
A brief stop at Broadsands car park produced a female Cirl Bunting feeding on the seeded area. A male has also been around.
I headed straight back to CVL (7-9) and had excellent views of the Sharp-tailed Sandpiper in the afternoon sun - noticeably larger than the accompanying Dunlins with rufous crown, buff chest, short decurved bill and scaly upperparts indicating a juvenile. My second ever in the UK. Also at Chew - 2 (!) Long-billed Dowitchers, a Semi-palmated Sandpiper (thought at the time to be a Little Stint) and 3 Bewick's Swans, and a Cetti's Warbler was heard.

Red Kites....

17 - 18 November - A total of 19 Red Kites seen en route to and from London on 2 return trips, including 4 together over Goring gap, with singles scattered along the Thames Valley from Hungerford to Twyford. Photo JM, taken earlier in the year at Goring.

Shorncote

17 Nov - A late afternoon walk at Shorncote in CWP, clear and calm conditions, and a Barn Owl hunting in the twilight from 4.45pm. Also 2+ Water Rails and a distant Cetti's Warbler heard, 50+ Fieldfare and 10+ Redwing over, 5+ Reed Buntings, 5+ Linnets, 10+ Teal in flight, and several Starling flocks over the reedbed totalling 600-800 birds.

This Greater Yellowlegs is at Hauxley (up in Northumberland.....)

13 November - The juvenile Greater Yellowlegs that arrived in Northumberland yesterday. Will it stay for the winter and will I get to see it ?? I did see the Rockcliffe bird in 1994. Photo, copyright Northumberland and Tyneside Bird Club website.

Snow Bunting at Farmoor

13 November - Excellent views in the afternoon sun of the male Snow Bunting that has been on the causeway at Farmoor (2-5) for a few days. Fairly flighty, but also fairly confiding when feeding - large white wing patches in flight (6) and a distinctive rippling call. Also seen, a few Meadow Pipits (7) and Great Crested Grebes (8) together with wintering duck. Photos JM.

Isabelline Wheatear continued.....

6 November - The second Isabelline Wheatear in the UK this weekend was only 90 minutes from home, so despite having seen my first ever in Britain only last month, I couldn't resist the chance to see this one and hopefully get some photos. It gave excellent views feeding in the late afternoon sunshine, the upright pot-bellied stance being obvious. Fairly uniform sandy-buff colouration, with brownish primaries and wing coverts and obvious black alula. The underwing was white, and the black on the tail fairly extensive. Much closer views than of the previous Sussex bird. Photos JM.

Scotland - Ben Lawers range

5 November - A walking trip in late autumn fine weather, and comparatively few birds seen as the breding species have departed - a flock of c50 Fieldfare were around the summit of Meall Corranaich, Ravens were enjoying the thermals, and 2 Twite flew over. Several Buzzards were seen en route to and from Glasgow, and at Stirling c20 Pink-footed Geese flew over at dusk on their way to roost on a nearby loch.