Andy Firth
@andyfirth.bsky.social
Mainly patch birder, Sandbach Flashes Cheshire for 25 years, now in County Durham, birding Saltholme, Castle Lake and Low Barns when time allows.Try to bird Flamborough and the Isles of Scilly one week each year when possible.
A steady morning at RSPB Saltholme, nice to see a few Tree Sparrows around the feeders, they’ve been quite difficult to see at times this year on site, for me anyway, @teesbirds.bsky.social
December 7, 2025 at 12:48 PM
A steady morning at RSPB Saltholme, nice to see a few Tree Sparrows around the feeders, they’ve been quite difficult to see at times this year on site, for me anyway, @teesbirds.bsky.social
A real geography lesson for me today, travelled to South Gare for my WEBS count to find the access road closed. No problem I’ll park in Redcar and walk both ways. Knackered, a Little Stint was with the roosting waders. Not one person (or dog) was nice. @teesbirds.bsky.social
October 19, 2025 at 3:51 PM
A real geography lesson for me today, travelled to South Gare for my WEBS count to find the access road closed. No problem I’ll park in Redcar and walk both ways. Knackered, a Little Stint was with the roosting waders. Not one person (or dog) was nice. @teesbirds.bsky.social
With a British list of roughly 385 after 35 plus years birding I’m hardly “hardcore” but today’s Mourning Dove on my regular(ish) Scilly holiday was special, summed up wonderfully on the local what’s app group by an islander. Not quite as epic as the Swift but it will do.
October 9, 2025 at 6:05 PM
With a British list of roughly 385 after 35 plus years birding I’m hardly “hardcore” but today’s Mourning Dove on my regular(ish) Scilly holiday was special, summed up wonderfully on the local what’s app group by an islander. Not quite as epic as the Swift but it will do.
Lovely mix of waders in soggy conditions at Castle Lake with black tailed godwit, ringed plover, dunlin, curlew sand, common sand, ruff and spotted redshank all present.
September 20, 2025 at 10:18 AM
Lovely mix of waders in soggy conditions at Castle Lake with black tailed godwit, ringed plover, dunlin, curlew sand, common sand, ruff and spotted redshank all present.
A nice mix of waders still at Castle Lake NR with Spotted Redshank and five Curlew Sandpipers still. As usual the birds were pretty distant. @durhambirdclub.bsky.social
September 8, 2025 at 5:03 PM
A nice mix of waders still at Castle Lake NR with Spotted Redshank and five Curlew Sandpipers still. As usual the birds were pretty distant. @durhambirdclub.bsky.social
Green and Wood Sandpipers, RSPB Saltholme earlier today. @teesbirds.bsky.social
July 24, 2025 at 8:36 PM
Green and Wood Sandpipers, RSPB Saltholme earlier today. @teesbirds.bsky.social
Just completed reading this book, really enjoyed it, what a garden list!
June 20, 2025 at 7:13 AM
Just completed reading this book, really enjoyed it, what a garden list!
Gradually learning some of the ornithological history of the county I now call home, purchased this rather magnificent publication via the @durhambirdclub.bsky.social its a few years old but should keep me busy for many months. £10 what a bargain.
June 15, 2025 at 12:04 PM
Gradually learning some of the ornithological history of the county I now call home, purchased this rather magnificent publication via the @durhambirdclub.bsky.social its a few years old but should keep me busy for many months. £10 what a bargain.
Really struggle at times with distance and light when birding from the Pool hide at RSPB Saltholme, the best I could do of this morning’s Curlew Sandpiper. @teesbirds.bsky.social
May 17, 2025 at 1:23 PM
Really struggle at times with distance and light when birding from the Pool hide at RSPB Saltholme, the best I could do of this morning’s Curlew Sandpiper. @teesbirds.bsky.social
Not really doing them justice but video of the four Wood Sandpipers RSPB Saltholme. @teesbirds.bsky.social
May 11, 2025 at 10:49 AM
Not really doing them justice but video of the four Wood Sandpipers RSPB Saltholme. @teesbirds.bsky.social
My 11th visit to RSPB Saltholme since moving to the North-East on 21st March, species list on 89 with Rook the latest, really enjoying the birding even though the locals tell me it’s a bit “static” currently. The most “record shot”Spotted Redshank in history still present. @teesbirds.bsky.social
April 27, 2025 at 3:53 PM
My 11th visit to RSPB Saltholme since moving to the North-East on 21st March, species list on 89 with Rook the latest, really enjoying the birding even though the locals tell me it’s a bit “static” currently. The most “record shot”Spotted Redshank in history still present. @teesbirds.bsky.social
Ring Ouzel Haverton gate, Saltholme @teesbirds.bsky.social
April 21, 2025 at 9:07 AM
Ring Ouzel Haverton gate, Saltholme @teesbirds.bsky.social
Wheatear and Yellow Wagtail Saltholme RSPB, no sound of yesterdays Grasshopper Warbler @teesbirds.bsky.social
April 13, 2025 at 10:17 AM
Wheatear and Yellow Wagtail Saltholme RSPB, no sound of yesterdays Grasshopper Warbler @teesbirds.bsky.social
Moving home and starting a new job hasn’t been conducive to birding but another visit to the RSPB Saltholme reserve gave 53 species in a couple of hours, can’t see me getting bored of the Avocets anytime soon. #TeesBirds #ukbirding
April 6, 2025 at 11:22 AM
Moving home and starting a new job hasn’t been conducive to birding but another visit to the RSPB Saltholme reserve gave 53 species in a couple of hours, can’t see me getting bored of the Avocets anytime soon. #TeesBirds #ukbirding
A desperately needed break from the house moving chaos gave me some time at Saltholme RSPB, hopefully one of my new local(ish) patches, the good thing about a change of patch, everything is new #TeesBirds.
March 26, 2025 at 2:07 PM
A desperately needed break from the house moving chaos gave me some time at Saltholme RSPB, hopefully one of my new local(ish) patches, the good thing about a change of patch, everything is new #TeesBirds.
Pending the usual stuff when moving house my 27 years patch birding at Sandbach Flashes is likely coming to an end.194 species(eBird), 250 WEBS counts,met great people,loved it.I remember running for Great Egret as a patch tick, see them most visits now. #patchbirding @sandbachflashes.bsky.social
March 9, 2025 at 1:14 PM
Pending the usual stuff when moving house my 27 years patch birding at Sandbach Flashes is likely coming to an end.194 species(eBird), 250 WEBS counts,met great people,loved it.I remember running for Great Egret as a patch tick, see them most visits now. #patchbirding @sandbachflashes.bsky.social
A couple of hours at Elton Hall Flash, Sandbach. Three Little Egrets flew over which is a decent count even though they are common enough. Six Black-tailed Godwits still around with a single Green Sandpiper. #patchbirding #ukbirding
March 4, 2025 at 4:11 PM
A couple of hours at Elton Hall Flash, Sandbach. Three Little Egrets flew over which is a decent count even though they are common enough. Six Black-tailed Godwits still around with a single Green Sandpiper. #patchbirding #ukbirding
As the wildlife recorder software is not being supported going forward I have started submitting my records on eBird, I can’t work out a way to screenshot these so understand why people submit links only to their lists. This Reed Bunting was trying enthusiastically despite not yet looking his best.
March 2, 2025 at 11:54 AM
As the wildlife recorder software is not being supported going forward I have started submitting my records on eBird, I can’t work out a way to screenshot these so understand why people submit links only to their lists. This Reed Bunting was trying enthusiastically despite not yet looking his best.
Popped to Astbury Mere this afternoon for the Black-necked Grebe, distant in heavy rain. Hoping for one at Sandbach Flashes, still only three ever records there. #ukbirding
February 26, 2025 at 6:27 PM
Popped to Astbury Mere this afternoon for the Black-necked Grebe, distant in heavy rain. Hoping for one at Sandbach Flashes, still only three ever records there. #ukbirding
A couple of fairly static hours around the flashes in strengthening winds, no real change today although an Avocet seen yesterday (no sign today) was new for the year. Shoveler numbers vary day to day so who knows where they go. #patchbirding #ukbirding
February 23, 2025 at 12:32 PM
A couple of fairly static hours around the flashes in strengthening winds, no real change today although an Avocet seen yesterday (no sign today) was new for the year. Shoveler numbers vary day to day so who knows where they go. #patchbirding #ukbirding
Another three hour session on patch (Sandbach Flashes), nice to have a small influx of Meadow Pipits and Skylarks to freshen things up a little. #ukbirding #patchbirding
February 16, 2025 at 7:08 PM
Another three hour session on patch (Sandbach Flashes), nice to have a small influx of Meadow Pipits and Skylarks to freshen things up a little. #ukbirding #patchbirding
WEBS count Elton Hall and Pump House Flashes Sandbach this am #ukbirding #patchbirding
February 15, 2025 at 4:07 PM
WEBS count Elton Hall and Pump House Flashes Sandbach this am #ukbirding #patchbirding
A nice round 50 species today on patch at Sandbach Flashes, the local Grey Heron’s looking as cold as I was in the nagging Easterly. @patchbirding @ukbirding
February 14, 2025 at 5:14 PM
A nice round 50 species today on patch at Sandbach Flashes, the local Grey Heron’s looking as cold as I was in the nagging Easterly. @patchbirding @ukbirding
An out of context Woodcock today’s highlight on patch, Skylark song kicking in, one or two Lapwings halfheartedly displaying suggests a gradual easing of winters grip. #ukbirding #patchbirding
February 9, 2025 at 5:02 PM
An out of context Woodcock today’s highlight on patch, Skylark song kicking in, one or two Lapwings halfheartedly displaying suggests a gradual easing of winters grip. #ukbirding #patchbirding
A freezing Easterly wind on patch this morning, new for the patch year Pink-Footed Goose, Oystercatcher and Green Sandpiper, doing Green Sandpiper things. #patchbirding #ukbirding
February 7, 2025 at 12:39 PM
A freezing Easterly wind on patch this morning, new for the patch year Pink-Footed Goose, Oystercatcher and Green Sandpiper, doing Green Sandpiper things. #patchbirding #ukbirding