Woodcock on a search for food This month, weather permitting, provides probably the last chance of the season to witness one of the magical moments in UK ...

Common Crane Grus grus Birding brings elation when you see the unexpected but inevitably it comes with frustrations too when you miss out (or ‘dip’) ...

Eurasian Blackcap, female (Sylvia atricapilla) The last few weeks have, as usual, been one of the most exciting times in the birding calendar. Summer ...

Common Crossbill (Loxia curvirostra) male A bird has been giving me ‘a bit of gyp’ over recent months. The Crossbill. Or to give its full name, Common ...

Firecrest (Regulus ignicapilla) male Shall I or shan’t I? For years I’ve been debating about whether it is time to give the one and only rhododendron in the ...

Water Rail, close up Liquid sewage effluent in ‘our’ river, plus the lack of fish, have been in the local news lately. It has been good to see villagers ...

European Bee-eaters Birders are listless again when the bells sound out at midnight on a New Year’s Eve. Many have kept a list of every bird they have ...

Siberian Accentor With winter approaching, many bird species have been escaping the bitter north and relocating in recent weeks. That’s usual. However ...

(Pictured Above: A House Martin feeding its young) I was sawing off a few more branches to donate to this year’s Cranleigh bonfire when I looked up and saw ...

(Above: Wheatear (also known as Northern Wheatear) Oenanthe oenanthe (male in spring plumage) I fancied a chat so I went out at what looked the right time - ...

Black-throated Diver When the autumn gales and bird migration kick in then it is worth watching out for emergency avian landings. strange things can-and do- ...

Cormorant Ramblers, dog walkers and mountain bikers around Cranleigh have been surprised when I’ve shown them the sea from the Surrey Hills, north of the ...