What seems to have been the first Hen Harrier for at least 25 years and first Hawfinches for seven were the highlights of an exceptional October. The month also saw a Yellow-browed Warbler caught…

The second ever yellow-browed warbler - four years after the first - was the highlight of September which also saw the long overdue appearance of great egrets this year. Cattle egret, tree Pipit…

All-too-brief visits by ruddy shelduck - perhaps the first record for 20 years - and cattle egrets were the highlights of an otherwise disappointing month. While a good range of waders moved…

The return appearance of little owls, the first ruff for seven years and a one night visit by a probable night heron were the highlights of another good month. July also saw garden warbler…

The first knot for six years - and perhaps the first ever in summer - was the highlight of a month which is good enough to merit its own round-up rather than merging it as usual with July.…

A strong passage of black terns and tame sanderling and turnstones were the May highlights at the Wetlands. The month also saw cuckoo, hobby and ringed plover added to the year list while the good…

April again lived up to its reputation as the best birding month of the year, Although there was no outright rarity, black-necked grebes, osprey, tree pipit, ring ouzel and avocets were among the…

A flock of crossbills and a nuthatch - both genuine rarities at the Wetlands - were the stand-out birds in March. The month also saw the first brent geese since 2021, an unprecedented three…

The first long-tailed duck for five years helped get the New Year off to a flying start. January also saw the first red-crested pochard since 2022 as well as a visit from a drake scaup and a…

A long-staying oystercatcher - an unusual winter record in London - was the highlight of a very dull month at the Wetlands. December also brought a small cold-weather passage of wigeon and lapwing…