What's buzzing or flying near you 2022 ?

Lodmoor RSPB Reserve, Weymouth.
Ruff.


Amazing plumage pattern, similar to a Snipe.


Great White Egrets are becoming increasingly common now and breeding in good numbers. 20 years ago they were almost unknown in Britain.


Very windy!


Lucky to see an elusive Water Rail.

 

I would try to discourage them, let them empty someone else's feeders!

 

Turnstones.

 

Peregrine Falcon, it's usually the other birds looking over their shoulder when he 's around!


Spotted Flycatcher, could be a local bird or one passing through but it will overwinter in West Africa.

 

There were about 50 Storks flying above us at the river today ... our friends from Bucks were fascinated.

 

This is a White-Breasted Nuthatch with unusual coloration on its chest. There is a Red-Breasted Nuthatch, but they are different species and they do not interbreed. I guess this creature is a maverick. Attractive though.

 

Blue Jay.

 

@hydrogardener a smart looking bird, I have seen Steller's and Scrub but not a Blue Jay (yet!).

 

These little birds are called Dark-Eyed Juncos or Slate Colored Juncos, but are commonly known as Snowbirds. Tradition has it that when they return from the far north you can expect snow within three weeks. This is the earliest I have ever seen them and I hope tradition is WRONG!

 

Common Kestrel.


Egyptian Geese.

 

Back end of a Little Grebe.


Mediterranean Gulls.


Redshank.


A very smart Shelduck in winter plumage after a summer moult.

 

What a handsome chappie.

 

Brownsea Island has the largest over wintering Spoonbill flock in the UK, 70 odd birds today but there has been a record 84 recently! Some may move on west but a large number will stay until March.