Simon Gillings
@simongillings.bsky.social
1.3K followers 380 following 150 posts
Birder, artist, sound recordist, data scientist at BTO; One half of Alula Designs. Views my own
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simongillings.bsky.social
Amidst a big nocturnal passage of thrushes last night, this Ring Ouzel passed over my Cambridge garden. Detected using the BTO Acoustic Pipeline's nocmig classifier xeno-canto.org/1047905 @cambsbirdclub.bsky.social #UKBirding 🔉
XC1047905 Ring Ouzel (Turdus torquatus)
xeno-canto.org
Reposted by Simon Gillings
aluladesigns.bsky.social
🐦‍⬛Ever been in awe of the huge journeys some birds undertake each year?
That’s what inspired us.
Celebrate #WorldMigratoryBirdDay with clothing that captures the magic of migration and wear what moves you.
🪶 For bird lovers. For nature lovers. For you.
🛒aluladesigns.co.uk
#Birding #BirdArt #WMBD2025
simongillings.bsky.social
Went to see the stunning Turkestan Shrike today with @sconebirding.bsky.social, seeing it catch beetles, tipulids and even a hawker dragonfly. Also lots of singing Dartford Warblers, a Woodlark and 24 Crossbills. But no joy with the Zitting Cisticolas so couldn't pull off a two-tick day #UKBirding
Reposted by Simon Gillings
aluladesigns.bsky.social
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This weekend only, we’re offering FREE UK delivery on all orders.
Autumn migration is in full swing. Whether you’re spotting Redwings or searching for that rare vagrant, get everything you need delivered free.
🛒[aluladesigns.co.uk]
#UKBirding #SiberianThrush #BirdArt
Reposted by Simon Gillings
danc-eco.bsky.social
We are seeking an ornithologist/modeller for a 2-year POST-DOC in Turin. Using archaeological remains, we will reconstruct past avian communities to understand the impacts of climate change and human pressure on birds through time. For details see cutt.ly/irN76QDZ PLEASE RT. #ornithology #AviArch
simongillings.bsky.social
I'm glad these are small! Devil's Coach-horse Beetle @flamboroughbird.bsky.social. A good couple of days' birding with a wide range of species.
Devil's Coach-horse Beetle
simongillings.bsky.social
My recent seawatching-inspired artwork for @aluladesigns.bsky.social, a Fea's type Pterodroma petrel #SuperSeabirdSunday #BirdArt
A Fea's type petrel flying over a rough sea. Not AI generated!
simongillings.bsky.social
Great day birding Fen Drayton and surroundings with @scottmayson.bsky.social, catching up with the already present Curlew Sandpipers, Little Stint and Black Tern, plus good views of small and large fish eaters #UKBirding
Kingfisher perched on a secluded branch Great White Egret portrait
simongillings.bsky.social
An unexpected but very pleasant detour on route to work today to see this elegant Lesser Yellowlegs at Isleham Washes. Unfortunately it was flushed by a Sparrowhawk and flew off NE. Hopefully it will come back #UKBirding
Reposted by Simon Gillings
aluladesigns.bsky.social
Birding meets style with our seabird-inspired designs — shearwaters shearing, petrels gliding. T-shirts or hoodies, these pieces have you covered for every seawatching adventure. Explore at aluladesigns.co.uk and take flight.
simongillings.bsky.social
Checking my backlog of passive nocmig recordings made whilst away from home. A nice Quail over my Cambridge garden 23:26, 21st August 2025 @cambsbirdclub.bsky.social #bioacoustics
Spectrogram of Quail calls given in flight, with labels produced by the BTO Acoustic Pipeline's nocmig classifier
simongillings.bsky.social
Short video of one of the Great Shearwaters from Friday at Bloody Foreland #DonegalBirding #UKBirding
simongillings.bsky.social
Hi, thanks I'll remember that for next time I'm visiting. I was watching from 55.148799,-8.292463, using the car as a shelter!
simongillings.bsky.social
Seawatch at Bloody Foreland, Donegal this am surpassed expectations. Self-found Fea's type petrel (0858 south), 3 Cory’s, 17 Great (📷), 18 Sooty, 800+ Manx. Also 2 adult Sab's Gulls, 3 Pom Skuas (1 with spoons), 3 Arctics, 13 Bonxies. (0630–1300) #IrishBirding #UKBirding
Great Shearwater record shot Bloody Foreland, looking south
simongillings.bsky.social
Found a nice juvenile Curlew Sandpiper at Dunfanaghy, Donegal today. #IrishBirding
Juvenile Curlew Sandpiper on wet mud
simongillings.bsky.social
Don't know which of Slartibartfast's colleagues made the Northern Ireland coast, but they made a fine job of it
Giant's Causeway
simongillings.bsky.social
This looks like the same individual with the damaged crown that was at Snettisham 11–12 August #UKBirding
simongillings.bsky.social
In Co. Antrim for family holiday. A quick 20min seawatch at Garron Point produced c.190 Manx Shearwaters, probably more than my annual total on the British East coast! #UKBirding
A view out to sea from Garron Point, County Antrim
simongillings.bsky.social
A nice #nocmig Bittern over my Cambridge garden at 0041 last night. 5 calls, spaced 15-19s apart. #UKBirding @cambsbirdclub.bsky.social
Spectrogram showing 5 Bittern night flight calls, with gaps removed. Original spanned 67 seconds
simongillings.bsky.social
Different bird i think. Much less black around eye on mine, only connected to ear/crown by thin stripe
simongillings.bsky.social
A tide of Knot. RSPB Snettisham #UKBirding
simongillings.bsky.social
Great views of White-rumped Sandpiper this morning, roosting with Sanderling, Ringed Plovers and Dunlin at RSPB Snettisham #UKBirding