Had a fantastic last morning in Poland seawatching north of Gdynia. What an eye-opener… 12 duck species, in huge numbers, inc these Velvet Scoters, Red & Black-Throated Divers (BTD pictured), Little Gulls and then this Rough-Legged Buzzard, which came in-off the sea - spotted by @robml1.bsky.social
Poland day 3: Spent the day walking the banks of the Vistula close to the mouth of the river. Highlights included 2 White-Tailed Eagles & Common Cranes plus Marsh, Willow, Crested, Northern Long-Tailed (see photo) & Bearded Tits. Also Goosanders, Goldeneyes & Red Squirrel. With @robml1.bsky.social
First 2 days birding around Gdansk in Poland with @robml1.bsky.social Heavy skies and low light (mostly in woodland) made things tricky, but have had a fantastic time so far. Highlights: Black Woodpecker, Great Grey Shrike, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker & Barn Owl (scarce here).
Spurn day 2 - a lot of walking, a lot of searching and a lot of Goldcrests... we saw 50+ individuals during the day. These, and Arctic Skuas plus good numbers of Divers on the sea made for a really enjoyable day - topped off by this Brown Shrike seen at Hunmanby late afternoon.
Spurn day 1 - hoping for a fall of scarce/rare migrants brought in on the North Easterly breeze today... not to be, alas. Still had a very good day - Black Redstart, Jack Snipe and Spotted Flycatcher the highlights.
Finally decided to take the plunge and go mirrorless yesterday. Took my new Canon EOS R7 to @RSPB_BurtonMere today for a trial run... it took a little getting used to, but quite pleased with it so far.
🪶Just come back from a few days visiting friends in Corèze and Dordogne in France with Katey. Took the opportunity to keep my eye open for any decent birds that might pop up whilst we were shown around. Wasn't disappointed: Melodious Warbler, Red-Backed Shrike, Hobby & Serin (more to come)
🪶Bod Petryal and Clocaenog forest in North Wales today. Connected with Pied and Spotted Flycatchers, Wood Warbler, Redstart, Crossbill and Redpoll plus Osprey at Lyn Brenig. Not so shabby, although woodland photography is fun: capturing little birds amongst the foliage can be a challenge!
🪶At Seaforth NR this morning to see a pair of Garganeys that had recently dropped in. Having caught up with them, I spent time photographing some of the other birds available at this brilliant reserve. Common Tern, Shelduck & Mediterranean Gull. @merseybirder.bsky.social@lancsbirder7.bsky.social
🪶Went for a walk in the sunshine this morning with my wife around Coed Llangwyfan and Penycloddiau (North Wales). Apart from the stunning scenery, we saw/heard multiple singing Garden Warblers, Redstarts, Cuckoos and many other warblers (no Wood Warblers ☹️). Also this smart Tree Pipit, a year first.
🪶Up early this morning to try and catch up with the Golden Oriole at Woolston Eyes Nature Reserve... stood around for 2 hours with nary a sight nor sound of it. Good thing that there were other birds to look at: Pochard, Black-Necked Grebes and a loud and showy Song Thrush.
🪶East Anglia day 4 with @colscho1.bsky.social. Returned home today via RSPB Lakenheath for Hobbies and Cranes, then to Graffham Water for this stunning Spotted Sandpiper. Also saw a smart drake Smew nearby. A perfect end to great trip.
🪶E Anglia day 3 with @colscho1.bsky.social around RSPB Minsmere. The morning started with up to 4 singing/displaying Woodlarks and a showy Nightingale, and ended with an equally obliging Bittern. In between we saw Dartford Warblers, Stone Curlews, Bearded Tits, Kittiwakes and lots more. Tremendous.
🪶East Anglia day 2 with @colscho1.bsky.social - spent the morning in a panic when BirdGuides went down for several hours 😆. Still had a great day, with a Wood Sandpiper & Turtle Doves being year ticks for us plus a Temminck's Stint for Colin. Photos of Sedge Warbler, Avocet, Swallow & Marsh Harrier.
🪶Day 1 of my E Anglian trip with @colscho1.bsky.social. Started with a stop at Cossington Meadows where we were entertained by a singing Savi's Warbler, then on to RSPB Ouse Fen for this bruiser of a Great Reed Warbler plus my first Common Tern of the year. Also Garden Warblers, Bitterns & Cuckoos.
