My latest blog, Old Caley's Diary will be up at oldcaley.blogspot.co.uk now. Thanks for looking!

An unlikely couple at Farmoor this afternoon. Two very different wading birds with very different habits getting on together just fine! Grey Phalarope & Dunlin. @BirdGuides @RareBirdAlertUK @waderquest @Natures_Voice

Glossy Ibis on Otmoor yesterday. @BirdGuides @RareBirdAlertUK @OOSbirding @Natures_Voice

After only gaining distant views of the Pectoral Sandpiper at the Oxon Golf Club yesterday, I was passing there today so went in for seconds. Glad I did too! @BirdGuides @RareBirdAlertUK @waderquest @OOSbirding Nice find by @NickMarriner1

Yes I saw the Semipalmated Sandpiper at Keyhaven. It was showing great. Until I walked up when it flew off Fishtail. Re-found on Butts but only scope views. This Bearded Tit showed what I might have got had I not struggled to park. @HantsIWWildlife @BirdGuides @hantsbirdnews

After two good birds on the last two days in Oxfordshire, today brought an even better one! A county first ever Baird’s Sandpiper just a few miles from home!! @BirdGuides @RareBirdAlertUK @OOSbirding @waderquest Great find by @CasburnGareth

A nice local double in Oxon with a Manx Shearwater (later taken into care) yesterday at Farmoor, and a Grey Phalarope today at Dix Pit. @BirdGuides @waderquest @OOSbirding @BBOWT @RareBirdAlertUK @Natures_Voice

Wynecks are elusive, cryptically camouflaged, and hard to see. Err, not always! On migration they can behave brazenly and appear to have no fear. @BirdGuides @RareBirdAlertUK @Natures_Voice #friestonshore @Lincsbirding

Nice double for yesterday. Very showy Wryneck at Frieston Shore, and an equally brazen (for its type) Spotted Crake at Titchwell. Nice to get out for a day. @BirdGuides @RareBirdAlertUK @Natures_Voice @nthnorfolknews

Typically for the species, this Red-necked Phalarope was fearless towards its admirers at Bodymoor Heath Lake yesterday, and often swam to within metres of the bank allowing for some nice photographic opportunities. @BirdGuides @WestMidBirdClub @waderquest @RareBirdAlertUK

One-on-one time with the Eastleach Long-tailed Shrike late afternoon today. A lovely chilled encounter, and a far cry from the frantic first day twitch. @BirdGuides @RareBirdAlertUK @GlosBirds @OOSbirding @cotswoldlife

More Hawfinch action @BBOWT in Oxfordshire. These two males appeared together mid-afternoon yesterday. @HawfinchesUK @BirdGuides @OOSbirding @Natures_Voice

My third attempt at getting a decent/view of the Montagu’s Harrier currently on the Oxon Downs. Views were better but unfortunately the bird didn’t appear until almost dark so still waiting for the better photo opportunity. @BBOWT @Natures_Voice @OOSbirding @BirdGuides

I don’t think I’ve ever seen a Garden Warbler in the open like this before. Another bird drawn to the small pond in Oxon that I’ve been visiting over the past week or so. I love the understated. @BirdGuides @Natures_Voice @OOSbirding @BBOWT #lbj

This stunning male Hawfinch posed beautifully for me in Oxon recently. This bird, along with many others is drawn to a small pond in this dry weather for water and allows for close encounters. @BirdGuides @Natures_Voice @BBOWT @OOSbirding @HawfinchesUK

Sometimes it’s more about seeing a bird rather than getting good photos. The Montagu’s Harrier over the weekend on the Oxon Downs was my first in the county. I’m very happy to have seen it! @BirdGuides @BBOWT @Natures_Voice @RaptorPersUK

Made a return visit to the Long-tailed Shrike yesterday evening to get it onto my Oxfordshire list. Much better views than in the chaotic initial Sunday morning. The Shrike even sang for a few minutes! @BirdGuides @GlosterBirder @OOSbirding @cotswoldlife @Natures_Voice

Pretty much the first to get there after @GlosterBirder had re-found the Long-tailed Shrike this morning. Decent views but left before the Shrike had border hopped into my own county of Oxon. Great bird to see. @BirdGuides @GlosBirds @RareBirdAlertUK

Late July into early August is a good time for seeing Hawfinches in Oxfordshire. Even more so when sustained hot weather forces the birds into visiting ponds for drinking. @BirdGuides @BBOWT @Natures_Voice @OOSbirding

Nice pristine adult Sandwich Tern testing on the valve tower at Farmoor reservoir F1 this morning. Don’t see many in Oxfordshire and they tend not to linger. @BirdGuides @OOSbirding @SeabirdCentre @Natures_Voice

An evening visit yesterday to see my first Barn Owl of the year. The setting sun and a light mist added to the ambience. @BBOWT @BirdGuides @BarnOwlTrust @bucksbirdclub