Swallow Birding

14/10/2026

12/10/2026

🌿 A journey into the Panamanian jungle! 🦅

A massive thank you to Steve Grimwade from Swallow Birding & Wildlife Tours for delivering such an engaging and fascinating talk on the birds and wildlife of Panama last month.

Steve took us on a wildlife journey across Panama, sharing incredible stories from his adventures and the remarkable search for the mystical Harpy Eagle — one of the world’s most elusive and spectacular birds.

A huge thank you to everyone who joined us. We look forward to welcoming Steve, and other wonderful speakers, back for more fascinating talks soon! 💚

🔍 Visit our website for more information on upcoming walks, talks and activities.

08/10/2026

BIRDING DAY TO THE NAZE & HOLLAND HAVEN
Wednesday 7th October 2026

The forecast wasn't good at all but luckily we managed to get away with being dry until the final hour of our trip.

With light winds and poor visibility out to sea, it was looking likely to be a good migration day and it certainly was!

We kicked off with two cracking BRAMBLING within and our walk around The Naze produced 3 EUROPEAN STONECHAT, 250 COMMON CHAFFINCHES in waves coming in off the sea, COMMON CHIFFCHAFF, CETTI'S WARBLERS, EURASIAN BLACKCAPS, a lovely juvenile EURASIAN HOBBY (a late day for this species), EURASIAN SISKINS, WESTERN MARSH HARRIER plus a lovely selection of waders. Whilst having lunch (in the sunshine!) a EURASIAN SPARROWHAWK came in off the sea right in front of us.

The afternoon session at Holland Haven produced yet more COMMON CHAFFINCHES plus 70+ SONG THRUSH coming in off the sea in small groups. Other goodies included two COMMON BUZZARD, REDWING, MEDITERRANEAN GULLS and lots of EUROPEAN ROBINS.

Here are a few images...

06/10/2026

BIRDING DAY TO LANDGUARD POINT
Thursday 1st October 2026

Fantastic weather for our annual trip to the migration hotspot of Landguard Point.

Highlights from our visit included 3 BLACK REDSTART, HORNED LARK, a SHORT-EARED OWL that flew right over our heads! Other goodies included NORTHERN WHEATEARS, SAND MARTIN, BARN SWALLOWS, lots of EUROPEAN ROBINS, NORTHERN GANNET, MEDITERRANEAN GULLS, SANDWICH TERNS and lots more!

Here are some pics from our day...

02/10/2026

AUTUMN MIGRATION MAGIC IN WEST ESTONIA with Birding Haapsalu
Wednesday 23rd – Monday 28th September 2026

Just back from a superb tour to Western Estonia where we started on Kihnu Island with hundreds of birds passing over our heads and included species such as NORTHERN NUTCRACKERS, GREAT GREY SHRIKES, GREAT T**S, BEARDED REEDLINGS, EURASIAN SPARROWHAWKS and four species of Thrush. The island also yielded LAPLAND BUNTING, SMEW, NORTHERN GOSHAWK, HEN HARRIER, WOODLARK and RED-NECKED GREBE.

It was then back to the mainland for the remainder of the tour where we visited several migration hotspots where the numbers of birds migrating were staggering. During one morning we recorded 3 PALLID HARRIER, 4000 COMMON SCOTER, 850 VELVET SCOTER, 200 LONG-TAILED DUCKS and 8000 GREATER SCAUP! Other goodies included NORTHERN NUTCRACKERS, MERLIN, PEREGRINE and both BLACK-THROATED & RED-THROATED LOONS.

Morning visible migration close to our accommodation produced up to six LESSER SPOTTED WOODPECKERS, GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER, EURASIAN JAYS, COMMON FIRECREST, EURASIAN BLACKCAP, HAWFINCH and another PALLID HARRIER!

As well as the migration, there were plenty of forest and farmland species such as EURASIAN PYGMY OWL, LONG-EARED OWL, HAZEL GROUSE, URAL OWL, EURASIAN NIGHTJAR, EURASIAN WOODCOCK, COMMON FIRECREST, WILLOW TIT, EUROPEAN CRESTED TIT, GREY PARTRIDGES and EURASIAN TREE SPARROWS. Woodpeckers were well represented with BLACK, MIDDLE-SPOTTED, WHITE-BACKED, LESSER & GREAT SPOTTED & GREY-HEADED either heard or seen.

A fantastic week of autumn Estonian birding, delicious meals and great company!

29/09/2026

Back home yesterday after an amazing tour to Western Estonia where migration was in full swing.

Whilst we sort through the many photos, here is an EURASIAN PYGMY OWL that was one of the clients highlights!

29/09/2026

In Search of the Harpy Eagle

Steve Grimwade from Swallow Birding & Wildlife Tours, who runs unique guided tours of some of the world's most nature...

22/09/2026

Essex Birdwatching Society BIG COUNTY BIRDWATCH 2026

What a weekend! Matt Turner and I have just finished an epic weekend of guided birds walks all over the County ranging from the Northeast to the Southwest.

Our total of 10 walks (out of 16) brought so many people out to enjoy this wonderful hobby. There were so many highlights including 2 OSPREY, 10+ EURASIAN HOBBY, LITTLE STINTS, SANDWICH TERNS, NORTHERN GANNETS, CURLEW SANDPIPER, RUDDY SHELDUCK, WATER RAIL, CETTI'S WARBLERS, 7+ PEREGRINE FALCONS plus many more.

Thanks to everyone that supported the weekend and made it very special, it is much appreciated!

20/09/2026

BIRDING DAY TO DUNGENESS, KENT
Wednesday 16th September 2026

Wonderful weather for our guided day trip down to Kent and we kicked off at the Power Station where offshore we saw lots of SANDWICH TERNS plus NORTHERN GANNETS, several PARASTIC JAEGERS (ARCTIC SKUAS), BLACK TERN, HARBOUR PORPOISE and a female MERLIN that came in off the sea!

A wander around the Bird Observatory produced up to eight HUMMINGBIRD HAWKMOTHS plus WILLOW WARBLER, EURASIAN SPARROWHAWK, COMMON BUZZARD, PEREGRINE FALCON and the amazing sight of several hundred COMMON HOUSE MARTINS wheeling around.

The remainder of the day was enjoyed around the RSPB reserve where highlights included 3 LITTLE GULLS, WESTERN MARSH HARRIERS, WOOD SANDPIPER, BLACK-TAILED GODWITS, GREAT & WESTERN CATTLE EGRETS, EURASIAN HOBBY and MEDITERRANEAN GULL amongst others.

Here are just a few photos of the birds and wildlife we encountered...

18/09/2026

TITCHWELL RSPB RESERVE
Monday 14th September 2026

After a wonderful morning at Snettisham we moved onto RSPB Titchwell reserve for the afternoon session and the highlights were two SPOTTED CRAKES! One of them fed close to the path delighting onlookers.

Other goodies included GREAT EGRETS, RED KITES, WESTERN MARSH HARRIERS, RUFF, GREEN SANDPIPER, COMMON SNIPE, BLACK-TAILED GODWITS and a pristine juvenile CURLEW SANDPIPER.

Here are a few pics from the afternoon...