Andy Mears
@andyfmears.bsky.social
Somerset birder with an itinerant habit
Levels birding so far today: 2f Goldeneye Noah’s, good views of Water Pipit Ham Wall Vp1, Firecrest at the Canada Farm parking, and the 2m Ring-necked Ducks at Decoy (yesterday’s reported female a bird-news typo I assume)
December 3, 2025 at 1:45 PM
Levels birding so far today: 2f Goldeneye Noah’s, good views of Water Pipit Ham Wall Vp1, Firecrest at the Canada Farm parking, and the 2m Ring-necked Ducks at Decoy (yesterday’s reported female a bird-news typo I assume)
The latest BB is now online and ’in the post’. I just wanted to say that these two brilliant photos feature, and they were taken by my good friend Gary Thoburn (not by me). Not sure why the credit slipped the net.
December 2, 2025 at 8:42 AM
The latest BB is now online and ’in the post’. I just wanted to say that these two brilliant photos feature, and they were taken by my good friend Gary Thoburn (not by me). Not sure why the credit slipped the net.
The Black-necked Grebe is still at Cheddar Res today
December 1, 2025 at 3:52 PM
The Black-necked Grebe is still at Cheddar Res today
Ring-necked Duck still, Blagdon lodge
November 30, 2025 at 2:26 PM
Ring-necked Duck still, Blagdon lodge
The 2 smart male Ring-necked Ducks are still at Decoy, Shapwick. Blackcap too. Otherwise, f Goosander on Noah’s and 25 Blackwit at Ham Wall.
November 26, 2025 at 1:42 PM
The 2 smart male Ring-necked Ducks are still at Decoy, Shapwick. Blackcap too. Otherwise, f Goosander on Noah’s and 25 Blackwit at Ham Wall.
Green-winged Teal showing from Bernard King hide, Chew. Looking north so light good but quite distant. Head looks great.
November 23, 2025 at 11:13 AM
Green-winged Teal showing from Bernard King hide, Chew. Looking north so light good but quite distant. Head looks great.
2 ad and 1 juv Whooper Swan in fields south of Westhay NNR car park👍
November 21, 2025 at 3:28 PM
2 ad and 1 juv Whooper Swan in fields south of Westhay NNR car park👍
Ring-necked Duck still, Blagdon Lodge
November 21, 2025 at 1:01 PM
Ring-necked Duck still, Blagdon Lodge
The 2 adult male Ring-necked Ducks are showing well at Decoy, Shapwick today and both looking pretty dapper
November 20, 2025 at 1:34 PM
The 2 adult male Ring-necked Ducks are showing well at Decoy, Shapwick today and both looking pretty dapper
Drakes of Scaup and Ring-necked Duck at Long Drove, nr Ham Wall today. This is the RND from Sharpham moved a short distance and now developing paler flanks.
November 19, 2025 at 11:32 AM
Drakes of Scaup and Ring-necked Duck at Long Drove, nr Ham Wall today. This is the RND from Sharpham moved a short distance and now developing paler flanks.
Ring-necked Duck still at Blagdon along with a Blackwit and a few Dunlin (no BN Grebe though). 7 Whoopers at Herons Green, Chew, plus 3 Goosander and a juv Peregrine around the lake.
November 18, 2025 at 2:57 PM
Ring-necked Duck still at Blagdon along with a Blackwit and a few Dunlin (no BN Grebe though). 7 Whoopers at Herons Green, Chew, plus 3 Goosander and a juv Peregrine around the lake.
Here’s the new viewing platform halfway along the south side of Stockland Marsh, Steart. 1f Goosander there today. 2 Little Stint still on a busy Otterhampton.
November 17, 2025 at 12:25 PM
Here’s the new viewing platform halfway along the south side of Stockland Marsh, Steart. 1f Goosander there today. 2 Little Stint still on a busy Otterhampton.
A Knot at Herons Green, Chew today. Still a few Whoopers around the lake, and an Avocet at Herriott’s End found by Bri.
November 15, 2025 at 11:58 AM
A Knot at Herons Green, Chew today. Still a few Whoopers around the lake, and an Avocet at Herriott’s End found by Bri.
The drake Ring-necked Duck is showing nicely at Decoy today, Shapwick. Pretty smart, unlike the other 1 or 2 that are around…
November 13, 2025 at 2:14 PM
The drake Ring-necked Duck is showing nicely at Decoy today, Shapwick. Pretty smart, unlike the other 1 or 2 that are around…
Our Kentish Plover is back on Stert Island viewed from Burnham-on-Sea. Very distant as usual…
November 9, 2025 at 11:06 AM
Our Kentish Plover is back on Stert Island viewed from Burnham-on-Sea. Very distant as usual…
Reposted by Andy Mears
Outstanding views of the Pallid Swift at times over the middle of Top Fields - thanks @alanlewiswildlife.bsky.social for letting us know it was showing so well up there
November 6, 2025 at 2:13 PM
Outstanding views of the Pallid Swift at times over the middle of Top Fields - thanks @alanlewiswildlife.bsky.social for letting us know it was showing so well up there
Ring-necked Duck still at Sharpham today. A very different bird to the Decoy individual, being largely in eclipse, very dull overall, but with the bill pattern starting to firm up.
November 6, 2025 at 11:28 AM
Ring-necked Duck still at Sharpham today. A very different bird to the Decoy individual, being largely in eclipse, very dull overall, but with the bill pattern starting to firm up.
Female Red-crested Pochard on Noah’s, Shapwick
November 6, 2025 at 9:46 AM
Female Red-crested Pochard on Noah’s, Shapwick
Eclipse drake Ring-necked Duck on the Avalon Marshes here this pm
November 5, 2025 at 2:39 PM
Eclipse drake Ring-necked Duck on the Avalon Marshes here this pm
Ring-necked Duck still, Decoy, Shapwick
November 2, 2025 at 1:29 PM
Ring-necked Duck still, Decoy, Shapwick
Black-necked Grebe still close in from Blagdon lodge
October 30, 2025 at 3:09 PM
Black-necked Grebe still close in from Blagdon lodge
Reposted by Andy Mears
Beaut of a SHRIKE nr Ring Marsh, Co Wexford.
📷 photo by Tom Shelvin.
📷 photo by Tom Shelvin.
October 29, 2025 at 7:02 PM
Beaut of a SHRIKE nr Ring Marsh, Co Wexford.
📷 photo by Tom Shelvin.
📷 photo by Tom Shelvin.
1 Spot Red on the Otterhampton Parrett pools
October 29, 2025 at 12:46 PM
1 Spot Red on the Otterhampton Parrett pools
1 Little Stint from Stert Pt hide, v distant, ID assumed!
October 29, 2025 at 11:15 AM
1 Little Stint from Stert Pt hide, v distant, ID assumed!
Drake Ring-necked Duck still, Decoy, Shapwick, plus a rather striking Garganey
October 27, 2025 at 12:27 PM
Drake Ring-necked Duck still, Decoy, Shapwick, plus a rather striking Garganey