Half a dozen hawfinches appeared in a tiny park inside a 70s estate in Romsey. 

Unlike their reputation, they seemed fairly "immune" to the park users and on the second day I visited the birds watched hoards of school kids passing them from inside a blackthorn hedge. I, on the other hand was driven away by the saucy attention of the Y9's!

Romsey, Hants

Found by Berks birder Robin Dryden just outside the county boundary* the shrike arrived on a Thursday and, unlike many, stayed until the weekend allowing a sizeable twitch on the Saturday. It showed very well but at a distance just too far for a sharp digi-pic. Lots appeared on Surfbirds etc but even Nigel Blake couldn't get the "killer shot".

*It first appeared on Berksbirds.co.uk - a great coup for Marek's excellent site!

Langley Park, Bucks

What a county!

An early morning walk gets a sleeping sponbill -  it woke-up. 

For a land-locked Berks birder the number & variety of birds is awe-inspiring.

I suppose that's why so many of us  retire to Norfolk. Well that & Saga give me something to look forward to.

What great little birds they are! There were three of them on the island on September 1st, 2003 and this one put up with being chased along the paths [not by me, I might add!] popping up on perches after being allowed a few minutes feeding.

This weekend at Portland saw Olivaceous warbler [ringed and releaed at the Obs] ensconced in the Obs quarry; two or three Ortolans; a rosy starling as well as loads of wheatear and whinchat. I counted 12 whinchat in the field south of Barleycrates lane late eveing on the 31st. Black kite the day before and a very high Monty's the day after - what a place!

Barleycrates lane, Portland