10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 29, 2023

I only scored 43 in March, but that was because I was away birding in Portugal and Estonia. These birds (usually juveniles) are clearly linked to the growing breeding population in the region. Pallid Swift , already back on the breeding grounds in early March Many waders winter on the salt marshes of the Algrave in southern Portugal.

Estonia 222

Estonia Portugal Greece Barn Owls 222

10,000 Birds

MARCH 8, 2024

Secondly, much of the appeal is that this is a bird we don’t see in the UK very often, for Waxwings are an irruptive species, and in most years only a few ever reach our shores from their breeding grounds in the boreal forests of Scandinavia. I’ve managed to see them, too, on their breeding grounds in Finland in summer.

Finland 207

Finland Estonia Bears Ireland 207

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 26, 2024

Explaining the increase in the number of sightings is difficult, as the Siberian breeding population is declining. I’ve since seen individual Red-breasts in winter in the Netherlands (with Brent), in Estonia on spring passage (always with Barnacles), and on the Swedish island of Öland in autumn (again with Barnacles).

Bulgaria 130

Bulgaria Geese Romania Ukraine 130

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 17, 2019

These globally threatened raptors breed from Ukraine eastward through Siberia and only a few come to overwinter here. One odd flock of Feral Pigeons above an arable field under deep snow – nothing for them to eat there, but I didn’t give them the attention they deserve and only a few hours later realised that they actually were Stock Doves.

Geese 143

Geese Serbia Ukraine Estonia 143

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 11, 2014

On the following day we took a short day trip by boat to Old Town Tallinn, Estonia, a UNESCO World Heritage Site (Tip: if you do attempt this day trip, be sure to arrive 20 minutes before scheduled departure, otherwise you will not be allowed to board the vessel). Old Town Tallinn, Estonia. Trumpeter swan visible from bird tower.

Finland 164

Finland Estonia Birds Europe 164

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 22, 2023

As the Wryneck is a lost breeding bird in Britain it’s also a bird of special interest to us Brits and one I never tire of photographing. It was a pleasing shot: the exposure was spot on, the bird not too big in the image, while the out-of-focus background and blossom on the apple tree complemented the subject.

Cyprus 229

Cyprus Portugal Birds Poland 229