Phil Bishop
@philb86.bsky.social
180 followers 170 following 61 posts
Birder, gardener, wildlife photographer and occasional amateur astronomer
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philb86.bsky.social
...female Shoveler, 2w Yellow Legged Gull, Caspian hybrid X307
##UkBirding #hertsbird #vismig
philb86.bsky.social
First proper bird movements Fairlands Valley Stevenage this morning. Over 150 Redwing west in small flocks. Several Skylarks Pied Wagtails and Song Thrush. Big unidentified finch flock-chaffinch brambling and Crosshill reported nearby.
Also 5 Egyptian Geese, first three Wigeon of autumn...
philb86.bsky.social
Pectoral Sandpiper showed well at Stanborough GP this afternoon. My second county tick in four days, having seen the Red Throated Divers at Tring at the weekend. #UkBirding
philb86.bsky.social
Lesser Grey Shrike showed very well this morning at Winterton ##UkBirding
philb86.bsky.social
Long awaited by most Herts birders.😄
philb86.bsky.social
Had a good 90 minutes mid morning from the sea watching hide. Had 45+ Sooty, my highest ever total, 4+ Balearic and loads of terns and skuas. Missed the Long Tailed though.
philb86.bsky.social
No sign of the Stork on the way home. Long time since we visited Snettisham and with the tide in our favour it was absolutely brilliant. 82 sp in total, including Titchwell which was a bit quiet. Great to bump into you again as well.
philb86.bsky.social
Hertfordshire tick this morning with the Rye Meads Night Heron. Phone scoped through a friend's scope.
#Ukbirds #RSPB
philb86.bsky.social
White Letter Hairstreak Chicksands Wood Beds. #butterfly
philb86.bsky.social
Played a blinding set. Glad I got home in time to see it.
philb86.bsky.social
Always felt the Wayland car park was a bit risky, but at least you could still get Willow Tits back then
philb86.bsky.social
Yes, a bit beyond the second viewing mound
philb86.bsky.social
Having failed yesterday, the RSPB Ouse Fen Great Reed Warbler is showing very well this afternoon #UkBirding
philb86.bsky.social
Stayed till 4pm, but gone quiet.
philb86.bsky.social
I assumed you were still out there when the news came out. Might try myself first thing but have other commitments later in day.
philb86.bsky.social
Stroll around Fairlands Valley lakes Stevenage this morning. Third singing Willow Warbler ( only a passage Bird these days).
First two Sand Martins and a single Swallow of the year, but carried on through the cold head wind.
philb86.bsky.social
Fun day in the Fens. Cold start at Deeping Lakes but got the Glossy Ibis, Cattle Egret and 1w Little Gull.
Nine cranes at Willow Tree Fen with my first Swallows and House Martins.
Three Garganey on Ouse Fen and finally my first Yellow Wagtail on the Ashwell (Herts) dung heaps.
#UkBirding
philb86.bsky.social
Very warm today, and my first local butterflies this year. Several Brimstones and one or two Peacocks. None made it into the garden though.
Also heard my first singing Chiffchaffs.
philb86.bsky.social
First clump of frogspawn in my Stevenage garden yesterday
philb86.bsky.social
With the recent warm spell, the frogs are starting to get a bit frisky in the pond. Expecting spawning soon.
philb86.bsky.social
Expecting cold weather to bring in birds in the garden, but not this 😲
philb86.bsky.social
And I managed to get 93 of them , a personal best for the site #Ukbirding
philb86.bsky.social
Looks like a Pochard Tufted Duck hybrid
philb86.bsky.social
Hopefully will get refound 🤞
philb86.bsky.social
Spent 4.5 hours there . Apparently far fewer birds around (per LGRE) than in recent days, but it’s a vast area and few strayed far from the alders.
It is supposed to be very vocal and can be heard from some distance.