First WOODCHAT SHRIKE in Northamptonshire since perhaps 1869

A juvenile WOODCHAT SHRIKE was discovered on Harrington Airfield this lunchtime 2 miles NNE of Langport (Northants), constituting only the third claim for the county and the first in over 130 years (previous records involved an adult at Gore Piece, Duddington, in 'spring' 1869 and a female said to have been picked up dead at Burghley Top, near Stamford, on the exceptional date of 9th January 1883. I made my way up there as soon as I got the call - the bird showing down to 45 yards from 1500-1740 hours. Here is a selection of the 322 shots I took..........

Afghanistan now a country involved in sickening crimes against Birdlife

1. Bird-hunting in Afghanistan helping drive migratory species like Siberian Crane to verge of extinction http://bbc.in/12YXuJx

MONGOLIAN SANDPLOVER in Ireland

A summer-plumaged male MONGOLIAN SANDPLOVER (that from Moray in fact) was present from Saturday evening through most of Sunday near Youghal on the Ballymacoda Estuary (County Cork). It represented the first record for Ireland. Aidan Kelly obtained the following footage of the bird on Sunday - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QAr2IdQ11TI&feature=youtu.be

Young CASPIAN TERN in Staffordshire/Cheshire

A first-summer CASPIAN TERN (pictured superbly above by David Carr) was discovered at Acre Nook Sand Quarry, 2 miles SSE of Chelford (Cheshire) on Wednesday night, roosting overnight with Black-headed Gulls on the mud there. It represented the fourth county record. It reappeared again the following evening before being intercepted at its daytime roost - about 6 miles away at Rudyard Reservoir near Leek in Staffordshire. It remained at Rudyard all day Friday, before returning once more to Acre Nook to roost. This same pattern of occurrence followed Saturday, allowing 500 birders or more to connect.

Acre Nook Directions: From the A535 Holmes Chapel Road, take Lapwing Lane southwestwards for just under a mile to view (SJ 820 723)

Rudyard Reservoir Directions: NW of Leek on the A523, turn west at Ryecroft Gate on Beat Lane and after 100 yards, turn left by the cottages and follow the rough track towards the north end of the reservoir for half a mile, parking by the barrier.

Another great selection of Caspo shots taken by STEVE SEAL

SANDPLOVER in SW Ireland

Dennis O'Sullivan discovered a summer-plumaged MONGOLIAN SAND PLOVER in County Cork this evening, the bird being sighted at Pilmore Quay just prior to dusk. This could be the bird seen two Tuesday's ago at Lossiemouth Beach (Moray).....

Northumberland's BRIDLED TERN moved to the Isle of May (Fife) last night whilst on Fair Isle, a SWINHOE'S STORM PETREL was trapped and ringed overnight

Meanwhile, more TWO-BARRED CROSSBILLS continue to arrive with the tally over 25 now - most on Shetland - although a twitchable juvenile still remains on Salthouse Heath in North Norfolk

Major Invasion of TWO-BARRED CROSSBILLS likely

Adult female Two-barred Crossbill, Lynford Arboretum, Norfolk, late July 2013 (David Campbell)

With reports of up to 50,000 crossbills irrupting from West Siberian forests and vast numbers entering Scandinavia since late June, the UK is set for a bonanza of this trumpet-blowing finch. Already birders are reaping the benefits as following Saturday's arrival of seven individuals (two at Havergate Island and Holme NOA and singles at Gramborough Hill, Cley Beach and Spurn Point), more have been appearing this week with up to 4 (adult female and 3 juveniles) at Lynford Arboretum and a confiding juvenile on Kelling Heath.

TWO-BARRED CROSSBILLS arrive in force

In line with a huge influx into southern Scandinavia perhaps involving many thousands of birds, a minimum of 6 birds arrived today in East Anglia as winds freshened from the North East - a juvenile at Gramborough Hill, Salthouse, this cracking male at Cley Beach, a male and a juvenile at Holme Firs (all North Norfolk) and two juveniles on Havergate Island in Suffolk. Eddie Myers obtained these excellent shots above as the bird showed very well about 250 yards east of Coastguards for just over half an hour before flying southwest. A precursor of more to come

MONGOLIAN PLOVER at Lossiemouth

Margaret Sharpe photographed this summer-plumaged male MONGOLIAN PLOVER on Lossiemouth Beach (Moray) last Tuesday, as it fed beside Ringed Plover. This represents only the fourth British record of this recently elevated species by the BBA/UK400 Club - the previous records coming from Bridge of Don (Aberdeenshire) on 18-19 August 1991, Keyhaven Marshes (Hampshire) on 22-26 July 2003 and in Aberlady Bay (Lothian) on 8-9 July 2004. This stunning bird may well make its way further south down the East Coast.