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CM

CM

@manchesterbirder.bsky.social

670 followers 890 following 980 posts

Birder from Manchester. Irregular blog at: https://themanchesterbirder.blogspot.com

themanchesterbirder.blogspot.com

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CM @manchesterbirder.bsky.social · 1d

It took a long while (6 days!) to connect with St Mary's elusive Wrynecks last week, but this one chose the sunniest day and the steepest cliff edge to finally sit in the open long enough for a photo. #ukbirding #birds

A Wryneck in very bright sunlight at the edge of a cliff.

A Wryneck in very bright sunlight showing its cryptic plumage.

CM @manchesterbirder.bsky.social · 1d

A couple more of the Mourning Dove on St Agnes from Wednesday last week. #ukbirding #birds

Mourning Dove in flight, with wings angled forward and down

Mourning Dove against a backdrop of metal tubes.

CM @manchesterbirder.bsky.social · 3d

A day of varied and excellent wildlife on St Mary's today. The much-searched after Wryneck finally posed briefly but well, a Firecrest was where a Red-breasted Flycatcher wasn't, and a stick insect battled it out with a Clouded Yellow butterfly for invert of the day. #ukbirding #birds

A Wryneck perched on the edge of a rock on the cliff off Penninnis head. Cryptic plumage illuminated by the sun.

A firecrest, mostly the head, showing the thick white eye stripe.

A Prickly Stick Insect at Old Town Church.

The view from Penninnis in the sun this afternoon.

CM @manchesterbirder.bsky.social · 5d

Very briefly! We had it for 20 seconds before it flew away!

CM @manchesterbirder.bsky.social · 5d

Sounds like exactly that. Stood out totally. A learning experience.

CM @manchesterbirder.bsky.social · 5d

That is an actual scandal. Bloody hell.

CM @manchesterbirder.bsky.social · 5d

I don't doubt Merlin has it right, but it stood out in the field as so totally different from the other Pipits. I'll chalk it up as a Meadow Pipit, another learning experience, though this gives me less confidence about IDing any Pipit at all!

CM @manchesterbirder.bsky.social · 5d

The environment wasn't quiet - 50+ linnets constantly calling, 45-odd Meadows all vocal, windy, 10 people all talking at once. It may have called, but I never heard it. It's probably a Meadow, but the first reaction from almost everyone has been RTP, and then a second look has caused doubt.

CM @manchesterbirder.bsky.social · 5d

Doesn't look like it will be - a few people more in the know than me have indicated that they think it's a Meadow Pipit. I guess it's one of those things where I just don't know enough about the variations of Meadow Pipits!

CM @manchesterbirder.bsky.social · 5d

St Agnes a little quieter and calmer than last Saturday. A pleasure to see the wide awake Mourning Dove, some curiously silent Yellow-browed Warblers, along with gorgeous Grey Plover. Great to catch up with @leonwr.bsky.social on the boat back to St Mary's. #ukbirding #birds

Back of camera shot of the Mourning Dove perched and awake (for a change).

Back of camera shot of the Mourning Dove looking back, over its shoulder, I can see that look in your eye. I never dreamed it could be over, I never wanted to say goodbye.

Yellow-browed Warbler pinging about in a tree overhead.

Grey Plover flyby displaying the classic black armpits.

CM @manchesterbirder.bsky.social · 6d

My blog about days 3 and 4 of the Scilly trip, and a difficult Pipit that we still haven't 100% identified. #ukbirding #birds

Red-throated Pipit? Scilly Days 3-4, 13th-14th October 2025

After a long day trudging around St Mary's seeing little (aside from a Garden Warbler that was briefly kicked up to Booted before being unce...

themanchesterbirder.blogspot.com

CM @manchesterbirder.bsky.social · 6d

Me too, but an abundance of caution seems prudent 👍

CM @manchesterbirder.bsky.social · 6d

No, which is why we weren't 100%.

CM @manchesterbirder.bsky.social · 6d

Thanks Kevin, some debate has occurred in the field.

CM @manchesterbirder.bsky.social · 7d

Pleased to be in the right place at the right time to grab a photo of the Red-throated Pipit (I think) on Bryher, found by a gentleman from Europe. #ukbirding #birds

Red-throated Pipit

CM @manchesterbirder.bsky.social · 7d

As Matt says, that's a good number Chris - didn't you only learn to drive recently too?

CM @manchesterbirder.bsky.social · 7d

25 for me, but I could have been over 415 if I'd gone for every twitch realistically possible. I've been fairly choosy until April this year, rarely going for a bird alone, and almost never driving more than 2 hours. 2025 has been the exception - you could easily make it 40 per year I think.

CM @manchesterbirder.bsky.social · 7d

My 300th was Alpine Swift at Elton Res in April 2023. Shame about those boats, but there's no rush - you've enjoyed a great year with some really outstanding experiences of amazing birds.

CM @manchesterbirder.bsky.social · 7d

Thanks for the kind words mate, much appreciated! There's been a fair bit of writing through the year, and some still to come. I think in 2026 I'll try to reach 400 UK species on my life list, so plenty more stories to tell.

CM @manchesterbirder.bsky.social · 7d

It started accidentally really, and I've done it in a strange way. Working on a blog post to straighten out some thoughts. I've done a lot of patching this year too, and though it's been tough and tiring, the 300 has given me a useful structure for the year.

CM @manchesterbirder.bsky.social · 7d

Cheers Matt! A bizarre feeling, and I might even give it a few days before I start planning next year's challenge...

Reposted by CM

CM @manchesterbirder.bsky.social · 8d

My blog for day 2 on the Scillies: Rosefinch, Wryneck, Rosy Starling and making myself look foolish. A 300 bird year! #ukbirding #birds

Common Rosefinch - Scilly Day 2, 12th October 2025

This year has had a lot (a serious lot) of very early starts. My average wake up time across the year is way before 6am, and I'm often on p...

themanchesterbirder.blogspot.com

CM @manchesterbirder.bsky.social · 7d

Congratulations on 300 Ian!

CM @manchesterbirder.bsky.social · 8d

Cheers, appreciate the kind words

CM @manchesterbirder.bsky.social · 8d

Hahaha, it's the mistakes that keep us honest!