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Eastern Black Redstart, Red flanked Bluetail etc Dec 2025 – Feb 2026

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Catching up with a few birds seen relatively recently. The Eastern Black Redstart at Sheringham has been a long-staying, very confiding bird.   This is a asian subspecies group of the Black Redstart that occasionally appears in the UK as a vagrant.   There have been fewer than 25 accepted records in British history, mostly along the eastern and southern coasts. In its native range (Central and Eastern Asia, including the Altai Mountains and Himalayas). It breeds between 2,000 and 5,000 meters above sea level. They normally migrate south to India or northern Africa for the winter. The Red-flanked Bluetail near Dereham. This is a small, robin-like bird that has transitioned from a legendary "mega-rarity" to a scarce but annual visitor to the UK. While most sightings occur on the East Coast during autumn migration, it is increasingly found wintering in the UK. There is also an individual that has been wintering at Crockham Hill Common in Kent. The species breeds across a...
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Black winged Kite, Norfolk, Jan 2026

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Until very recently, the Black-winged Kite (Elanus caeruleus) was considered a "mythical" bird for UK birdwatchers. However, this may now be changing, possibly due to climate change and a northward expansion from its traditional homes in Africa and Southern Europe. The Black-winged Kite is a small, strikingly beautiful raptor that looks more like a cross between a falcon and an owl than a typical kite. Plumage: It has a distinctive blue-grey back, a pure white underside, and prominent black "shoulders" (wing patches). Eyes: It is famous for its piercing blood-red eyes, which are forward-facing, giving it an owl-like appearance. Hunting: Unlike the scavenging Red Kite, the Black-winged Kite is a specialist hunter of small mammals. It is most often seen hovering with high-frequency wing beats, similar to a Kestrel, before dropping vertically onto prey. Date Location Significance April 2023 Montgomeryshire...
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Birdpark, Boughton on the water, Dec 2025

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Located in the Cotswold village of Bourton-on-the-Water , Birdland Park and Gardens is one of the UK’s most iconic bird sanctuaries. Established in 1957, the park is set within nine acres of lush woodland and gardens, featuring the River Windrush winding through its grounds. The park is famous for being home to over 500 birds from more than 50 different species, ranging from the exotic to the rare. Notable Birds in the Collection Penguins: Birdland is home to the only breeding colony of King Penguins in England. They also house a   group of Humboldt Penguins. Flamingos: A vibrant flock of Greater and Chilean flamingos. Cassowary: The park keeps these large, prehistoric-looking flightless birds, which are among the most striking (and dangerous) birds in the world. Spectacled Owl Cassowary Emu Emperor Penguin Hamerkop Tawny Frogmouth Red-legged Seriema Rainbow Lorikeet Snowy Owl White crested Laughing Thrush Plantain Eater
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Paignton Zoo, Dec 2025

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Paignton Zoo, located in Devon, England, is one of the UK’s most significant zoological gardens and a leading center for conservation. Managed by the Wild Planet Trust, the 80-acre site is designed around "geographic" zones, combining a large botanical collection with over 2,000 animals. While famous for its mammals like gorillas and tigers, the zoo has a historic and world-class reputation for its avian collection, which includes some of the rarest birds on Earth i.e. an Oriental White Stork. I did not visit on the best of days, weather wise and there was the usual problem of wire mesh obscuring the birds in their aviaries.  Chilean Flamingo White faced Whistling Duck Cinnamon Teal Red crested Pochard Hamerkop Secretary Bird Southern Screamer Toco Toucan Lars Gibbon On the way back to Seaton, I stopped at the Devon Birds of Prey Centre.  It was late on a slow afternoon so not much was going on but they did have a magnficant Golden E agle x Steppe Eagle cross.
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Cotswold Wildlife Park, Nov 2025

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 Set within 160 acres of parkland in Oxfordshire, Cotswold Wildlife Park & Gardens is unique for its "animals in a garden" philosophy. Rather than traditional zoo cages, enclosures are often bordered by "ha-has" or clever planting, blending exotic wildlife with world-class horticulture. The Tropical House is located within the historic Walled Garden, the Tropical House is a lush, walk-through oasis designed to mimic a mini-rainforest. It maintains a constant temperature and high humidity to support both its inhabitants and its collection of exotic flora like rubber plants, bromeliads, and orchids. The birds here are free-flying, allowing them to flit through the canopy just inches from visitors. One of the most fascinating aspects of the Tropical House is the symbiotic relationship between the gardeners and the keepers. When plants in other parts of the park are affected by pests like greenfly, they are often moved into the Tropical House. The free-roamin...
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