After the two saved American bitterns this winter (one of them probably still present on Paul de Praia) the local police department from Maia brought in a Little Bittern on 23-03-2012 founded on the beach. After being pictured it was released on Lagoa do Sao Braz.

Pedro Madruga once again had a decent bird from his garden at Lajes do Pico today - this superb adult Black-crowned Night Heron. This is the 29th or 30th record of this species on the Azores (depending on whether you count last week's bird, also an adult on Pico, as the same bird).

Pedro Madruga was able to watch and photograph the overwintering Belted Kingfisher on rocks in front of his house on 29th January 2012. This bird has been present at Lajes do Pico, Pico, since late December and is one of the most sought after vagrants currently on the Azores.

Norwegian observer Jan Kare Ness is a regular visitor to the Azores and has sent throught several images from his recent trip. This superb image of a Garganey on Terceira is one of many ducks currently on the island. A drake Wood Duck was present at Paul da Praia, in addition to the longstaying drake that was still at Lagoa Lomba, Flores.

Jan Kare's birding blog can be found at www.jknblogg.blogspot.com where there are plenty of other excellent photos like this. 

Joel Bried found and photographed this Red-necked Grebe, the first for the Azores, in Horta harbour on 21st January 2012. Feeding well and looking healthy, this bird could have arrived on Faial from either side of the Atlantic (the nominate Eurasian form or the American form hollboellii).

Photo copyright Rui Oliveira. This immature Allen's Gallinule was picked up at Porto Judeu, Terceira in December and kept for about two weeks inside a cage. This presumably accounts for the the poor feather condition. It was released at Paul da Praia on 4th January 2012 and has not been seen subsequently. The sixth record for the Azores and the first since 1973.