Otter crossing the track at Deeping Lakes LWT

Crazy Stoat eyes up a birder's car at Deeping Lakes LWT

Partial eclipse (at Etton/Maxey pits, Cambs) on my field notebook

I was out birdwatching and realised that I was best hanging arounnd in the open spaces of the pit complex if I wanted to see the eclipse. I used my birdign scope to project an image, but there was a general lack of flat surfaces. Eventually, I reckoned balancing my notebook on the odd metal tressle thing beside Rectory Pit was my best bet for a 'screen'. This was near the fullest point of the eclipse up near Peterborough, Cambs (it wasn't really total anywhere in the UK, despite a lot of fuss in the media).

Wasp Spiders

Wasp Spider eating a Dark Green Fritillary, Bedford Purlieus, Cambs

Female Redstart, Greatford Cut, Lincs

Southern Migrant Hawker, Gravel Causeway, Crowland, Lincs

São Tomé and Principe, April 2026 (Part 1)

São Tomé Ibis aka Dwarf Ibis (endemic), Monte Carmo, São Tomé. My favourite of the birds of ST and P; a rare bird of the rainforest of ST, 'easiest' to see at Monte Carmo in the Obô Natural Park. I saw three on my clims up and down the mountain, though could only photograph this one. This is the one bird I really wanted to see above all others!

São Tomé Oriole (endemic), Monte Carmo, São Tomé. Easily heard and not quiee so easily seen at a certain altitude along the track at Monte Carmo. We encountered several individuals, but my camera was getting pretty misted up in the extreme humidity after some torrential rains ("excuse are lies!")

São Tomé Paradise Flycatcher, male, emdmic), São Tomé. One of the common and widely distributed endemic birds (which make up most of the birds) of ST. The males are all dark, glossy blues, while the shorter tailed females look a bit more like the other paradise flycatcher species of African and Asia

Principe Seedeater (endemic, São Tomé subspecies), São Tomé. To me, this dullest (in appearance) of all the endemics looks like a hugely toned-down version of a female Greenfich. The ST version was pretty easy to encounter, while I failed to see the Principe subspecies (which I think may be even duller-looking)

Pico Cão Grande, São Tomé. The most iconic, dramatic, and let's face it, phallic bits of volcanic scenery on the islands. This is a truly remarkable structure which deserves wider recognition aoround the World!

São Tomé Prinia (endemic), São Tomé. The first bird I encountered when I woke up in the morning at Omali Lodge (Pincipe Collection) near ST airport, was this distinctive littel prinia. Most distinctive of all was its crazy display flight, flyinng up vertically then plunging down vertically, then repeating the caboodle, like one of those lekking midges in your back garden...

São Tomé Thrush (endemic), São Tomé. A much easier bird to encounter than its very localised equivalent on Princiep, the Principe Thrush (which I faield to see)

Black-capped Speirops (endemic), São Tomé. One of the flocking, widespread endemics on ST

São Tomé Weaver (endemic), São Tomé. This common and curious endemic weaver seems to behave a bit like a nuthatch (at least when I was watching), probing ablong branches and trunks.

White-tailed Tropicbirds, Banana Beach, Principe. Several pairs were nesting on the forest cliffs below the view point alogn the coast. Also seen on ST.

Yellow-billed Kite, Bom Bom Island, Principe. One of the most frequently seen of the non-endemic birds of the islands (and just about the only bird of prey I encountered)

São Tomé and Principe, April 2026 (Part 2)

Dohn's Warbler, Principe (Principe endemic). A common bird on principe, usually goign aroung in loose flocks, often with the other endemic small birds (such as the speirops, sunbird and weaver), this Sylvia warbler is a bird of many distinctive voices, which take some getting used to. I saw plenty, but foudn them very tough indeed to photograph.

Hermit Crab, Bom Bom Island, Principe

Mona Monkey, Sundy Praia, Principe. An introduced monkey, which may be a problem for the native fauna (including birds), this one was on my 'glamping' chalet, one of a group buncing across the canvas roof.

Principe Glossy Starlings, Principe (Principe endemic). One of the commonest and most onvious birds of Principe, their pleasing calls and songs are ever present across the island.

Juvenile Malachite Kingfisher, Principe (Principe endemic subspecies)

Malachite Kingfishers, Principe (Principe endemic subspecies). A common, but somewhat shy, tiny kingfisher. The youngster is distiguised by its dark bill. There is also a subtly diferent ST subspecies, which I encountered (but didn't photograph)