Delighted with my first self found Baird's Sandpiper on the patch at St Cyrus this evening - my 21st species of wader on these temporary pools this autumn. Despite the slim chance, it's one I was daring to hope for given the numbers that have been in the UK this autumn

I'm currently in Chicago again, my first September visit. Fall warblers are a challenge, compared to my visit in May. I enjoyed by time with a Yellow-bellied Flycatcher yesterday. Can only imagine the excitement that @Tireebirder must have had when he found UK's first in 2020.

26 years ago today, we headed into a storm petrel ringing session, not knowing what was coming along in the early hours.....

A recent visit to see Arran in Chicago was arranged around optimum dates for American wood-warblers, if which I managed too see an incredible 28. Still need a few of the later arrivals so wil need to go back! Here's a few of the stunners

Made the opportunity and diverted my journey home to see my first freshwater White-billed Diver on Loch Venachar in Forth this morning, great bird in superb location, scottish birding at its best

Several days on the east coast at Cherating in Malaysia allowed me to get up close and personal with Tibetan Sand-Plover, with c.30 birds there, allowing very close approach as the birds are used to beach goers there.

Dark-sided Flycatcher was a new bird for me at Bukit Tinggi - I saw this bird several times during my stay and it was a great bird to get field experience of. Those undertail coverts!! It kept company with an Asian Brown Flycatcher - what a pairing that would be in Europe

Whilst in Malaysia, we spent 4 days at Bukit Tinggi, which produced the much sought after and hoped for Mountain Peacock Pheasant and Ferruginous Partridge - both showed incredibly well on my first morning and gave me my own private showing, plus a bonus sibe megastar turned up

Vikki and I recently returned to Malaysia, the planned fortnight became three weeks due to flight cancellations. The extra time allowed us to revisit a Blue-winged Pitta, the site we last visited in 2024. Missed Hooded Pitta, which was calling behind us but remained hidden

84 species at Slimbridge today with Samuel, our 2nd highest. New for us there were Jay, Firecrest, Jack Snipe with other goodies of Bean Goose, Bewicks, Whoopers, Little Stint, Med Gull, GW Egret and Mandarin. Missed Treecreeper, Bullfinch 😕 #GlosBirds

A great day at Slimbridge today, a personal new day record set of 89 sp set including Bittern, Med Gull, Temminck's & Little Stint, Brent Geese. New for us on site were Redpoll, Knot, Sanderling, Bittern Pink-footed Goose and Temminck's Stint #GlosBirds #slimbridge

Persistent garden moth trapping by Vikki was rewarded by the first Maiden's Blush in Scotland since the 1980's. The last VC91 record was over 100 years ago. Its been a good year for unusual records, following thd Blood-vein and Bedstraw Hawkmoth earlier in the year

I'll be talking about my recent trips to Mongolia at this year's joint SOC Grampian branch and RSPB Aberdeen group meeting, on Tuesday 14th October. All welcome (whether members or not). Would be great to see some of my friends there

Great to be back at Khurkh Ringing Station in Mongolia. Bird migration has pretty much stopped because of the strong winds. Nevertheless, some nice birds around