Water is lifehttps://bsky.app/profile/johnpritchard.bsky.socialhttps://bsky.app/profile/johnpritchard.bsky.social/post/3m3snecwr6s2rIt's been a slow but steady few months on the patch near St Albans. At the weekend, a Wigeon was new for the year. But today, I found a #patchgold Dartford Warbler. Patch tick (29 years!) & Herts rarity. Thanks to @rupertevershed.bsky.social for the warbler pic. #PWC2025 @patchbirding.bsky.social22 Oct 2025 20:04 +0000at://did:plc:c6k5y23etwp3cwtjsf3hut3k/app.bsky.feed.post/3m3snecwr6s2rhttps://bsky.app/profile/johnpritchard.bsky.social/post/3ltbzzefkqs2s2+ Spotted Flycatchers on Gorhambury Estate, St Albans. In willows close to the floodwater pool. Patch year tick. #hertsbirds #PWC202506 Jul 2025 10:14 +0000at://did:plc:c6k5y23etwp3cwtjsf3hut3k/app.bsky.feed.post/3ltbzzefkqs2shttps://bsky.app/profile/johnpritchard.bsky.social/post/3loqe6oxcos2kA steady fortnight of seasonal migrants plus this Pintail today (a personal patch tick), has brought the patch total to a hundred for the year. Not too shabby for an inland #hertsbirds patch, near St Albans. @bglynn500.bsky.social @patchbirding.bsky.social09 May 2025 11:47 +0000at://did:plc:c6k5y23etwp3cwtjsf3hut3k/app.bsky.feed.post/3loqe6oxcos2khttps://bsky.app/profile/johnpritchard.bsky.social/post/3lnqnquedfc2zYellow Wagtails aside, times are tough on the patch near St Albans at the moment. Even the Buzzards are turning vegetarian. @patchbirding.bsky.social26 Apr 2025 21:13 +0000at://did:plc:c6k5y23etwp3cwtjsf3hut3k/app.bsky.feed.post/3lnqnquedfc2zhttps://bsky.app/profile/johnpritchard.bsky.social/post/3lmk5vsnqdc2zThis morning's visit to a West Dorset coastal strip revealed it was alive with Willow Warblers, Chiffchaffs and my first Sedge Warblers & Whitethroats of the year. 3 Wheatears lingering but just two Swallows through. Plus two Shelduck halfway up a hill. @bglynn500.bsky.social @bexbirder.bsky.social11 Apr 2025 13:49 +0000at://did:plc:c6k5y23etwp3cwtjsf3hut3k/app.bsky.feed.post/3lmk5vsnqdc2zhttps://bsky.app/profile/johnpritchard.bsky.social/post/3lm5xcow7os2qOut with the old and in with the new today, on my @hertsbirds.bsky.social patch near St Albans. A small flock of Golden Plover (patch year tick) and a final Fieldfare were good to see, while Yellow Wagtail (another year tick) was very welcome. @patchbirding.bsky.social @bglynn500.bsky.social06 Apr 2025 17:19 +0000at://did:plc:c6k5y23etwp3cwtjsf3hut3k/app.bsky.feed.post/3lm5xcow7os2qhttps://bsky.app/profile/johnpritchard.bsky.social/post/3llyxj6a6nc2hFirst House Martins back to the local colony near St Albans, Herts today. Four appeared at lunchtime. Just for a moment a local Buzzard made me think I was in Cornwall! @rupertevershed.bsky.social @bglynn500.bsky.social @ukhousemartins.bsky.social @hertsbirds.bsky.social04 Apr 2025 17:39 +0000at://did:plc:c6k5y23etwp3cwtjsf3hut3k/app.bsky.feed.post/3llyxj6a6nc2hhttps://bsky.app/profile/johnpritchard.bsky.social/post/3lkvq26vals2eOff patch and birding in West Dorset. Good to catch up with a variety of residents and new arrivals. 25 Cattle Egret (Abbotsbury) Wheatear, 4 Pintail, 2 Sandwich Tern, 4 Gannet and Cirl Bunting all along the coastal strip. Hat tip @bexbirder.bsky.social21 Mar 2025 17:22 +0000at://did:plc:c6k5y23etwp3cwtjsf3hut3k/app.bsky.feed.post/3lkvq26vals2ehttps://bsky.app/profile/johnpritchard.bsky.social/post/3lk73e6v2ss2jThere's a great deal of enjoyment to be had from an annual garden list and today #71 turned up in the shape of two lowly but distant Greylag Geese also #81 on the local patch. Buzzard next door too. @patchbirding.bsky.social @rupertevershed.bsky.social @bglynn500.bsky.social12 Mar 2025 17:13 +0000at://did:plc:c6k5y23etwp3cwtjsf3hut3k/app.bsky.feed.post/3lk73e6v2ss2j