Paul Baker
@bakerboybirding.bsky.social
Based in south Essex. Enjoy twitching (BOU 500+) as well as local patch birding.
I like to spend time birding in Norfolk, too.
Easily distracted by mammals (esp cetaceans), reptiles, amphibians & butterflies.
No politics on here, just wildlife!
I like to spend time birding in Norfolk, too.
Easily distracted by mammals (esp cetaceans), reptiles, amphibians & butterflies.
No politics on here, just wildlife!
Finally, onto Kessingland where I've never managed to see Shore Larks!
After an hour of searching, and in the fading light, I finally came across one, shortly followed by 5 flying away.
A blizzard of perhaps 100 Snow Buntings lifted the spirits too.
#SuffolkBirds
After an hour of searching, and in the fading light, I finally came across one, shortly followed by 5 flying away.
A blizzard of perhaps 100 Snow Buntings lifted the spirits too.
#SuffolkBirds
December 11, 2025 at 6:56 PM
Finally, onto Kessingland where I've never managed to see Shore Larks!
After an hour of searching, and in the fading light, I finally came across one, shortly followed by 5 flying away.
A blizzard of perhaps 100 Snow Buntings lifted the spirits too.
#SuffolkBirds
After an hour of searching, and in the fading light, I finally came across one, shortly followed by 5 flying away.
A blizzard of perhaps 100 Snow Buntings lifted the spirits too.
#SuffolkBirds
Kingfisher from the West Hide today at Minsmere and one Water Pipit also early afternoon.
A handful of Siskins were in the nearby Alders.
#SuffolkBirds
A handful of Siskins were in the nearby Alders.
#SuffolkBirds
December 11, 2025 at 6:55 PM
Kingfisher from the West Hide today at Minsmere and one Water Pipit also early afternoon.
A handful of Siskins were in the nearby Alders.
#SuffolkBirds
A handful of Siskins were in the nearby Alders.
#SuffolkBirds
45 minutes in West Hide at Minsmere early afternoon.
The Temminck's Stint finally revealed itself albeit it was on the East Scrape.
#SuffolkBirds
The Temminck's Stint finally revealed itself albeit it was on the East Scrape.
#SuffolkBirds
December 11, 2025 at 6:54 PM
45 minutes in West Hide at Minsmere early afternoon.
The Temminck's Stint finally revealed itself albeit it was on the East Scrape.
#SuffolkBirds
The Temminck's Stint finally revealed itself albeit it was on the East Scrape.
#SuffolkBirds
Thirty minutes at Abberton this morning from LDLH causeway where the weather was unusually pleasant!
4 adult Bewick Swans nr the pumping station.
11 RCPochards from Billets.
Surprised to find 3 BlnGrebes loosely associating with 2 Slav Grebes.
Dreadful phonescope pics - enjoy😅
#EssexBirding
4 adult Bewick Swans nr the pumping station.
11 RCPochards from Billets.
Surprised to find 3 BlnGrebes loosely associating with 2 Slav Grebes.
Dreadful phonescope pics - enjoy😅
#EssexBirding
December 11, 2025 at 6:52 PM
Thirty minutes at Abberton this morning from LDLH causeway where the weather was unusually pleasant!
4 adult Bewick Swans nr the pumping station.
11 RCPochards from Billets.
Surprised to find 3 BlnGrebes loosely associating with 2 Slav Grebes.
Dreadful phonescope pics - enjoy😅
#EssexBirding
4 adult Bewick Swans nr the pumping station.
11 RCPochards from Billets.
Surprised to find 3 BlnGrebes loosely associating with 2 Slav Grebes.
Dreadful phonescope pics - enjoy😅
#EssexBirding
Lesser Crested Tern today from Cockwood Steps.✔️
A decent grip back & one I'd be hoping for, although I never expected it in December!
It did show better than my poor efforts would suggest, it even had a prolonged fly around but was always distant.
Spotted Redshank also on the estuary.
#rarebirdsuk
A decent grip back & one I'd be hoping for, although I never expected it in December!
It did show better than my poor efforts would suggest, it even had a prolonged fly around but was always distant.
Spotted Redshank also on the estuary.
#rarebirdsuk
December 4, 2025 at 8:53 PM
Lesser Crested Tern today from Cockwood Steps.✔️
A decent grip back & one I'd be hoping for, although I never expected it in December!
It did show better than my poor efforts would suggest, it even had a prolonged fly around but was always distant.
Spotted Redshank also on the estuary.
#rarebirdsuk
A decent grip back & one I'd be hoping for, although I never expected it in December!
It did show better than my poor efforts would suggest, it even had a prolonged fly around but was always distant.
Spotted Redshank also on the estuary.
#rarebirdsuk
Just been told about a Bittern at Wat Tyler CP this morning ##EssexBirding
Well done to Nick.
Well done to Nick.
December 3, 2025 at 12:04 PM
Just been told about a Bittern at Wat Tyler CP this morning ##EssexBirding
Well done to Nick.
Well done to Nick.
Yesterday's Black-throated Diver has just floated slowly upstream on the rising tide in the Crouch by South Fambridge.
Phonescoped from indoors through glass but looking good in the sunshine.
Also a pair of Stonechats and a Fieldfare around the garden.
#EssexBirding
Phonescoped from indoors through glass but looking good in the sunshine.
Also a pair of Stonechats and a Fieldfare around the garden.
#EssexBirding
November 26, 2025 at 3:29 PM
Yesterday's Black-throated Diver has just floated slowly upstream on the rising tide in the Crouch by South Fambridge.
Phonescoped from indoors through glass but looking good in the sunshine.
Also a pair of Stonechats and a Fieldfare around the garden.
#EssexBirding
Phonescoped from indoors through glass but looking good in the sunshine.
Also a pair of Stonechats and a Fieldfare around the garden.
#EssexBirding
Super dooper house tick this afternoon, entirely thanks to David Curle who alerted locals to a Black-throated Diver on the Crouch by Blue House Farm.
A quick scan from upstairs and boom, there it was 😊
Excellent photo by David from BHF.
Terrible photo by me from indoors!
#EssexBirding
A quick scan from upstairs and boom, there it was 😊
Excellent photo by David from BHF.
Terrible photo by me from indoors!
#EssexBirding
November 25, 2025 at 4:27 PM
Super dooper house tick this afternoon, entirely thanks to David Curle who alerted locals to a Black-throated Diver on the Crouch by Blue House Farm.
A quick scan from upstairs and boom, there it was 😊
Excellent photo by David from BHF.
Terrible photo by me from indoors!
#EssexBirding
A quick scan from upstairs and boom, there it was 😊
Excellent photo by David from BHF.
Terrible photo by me from indoors!
#EssexBirding
A few phonepics of the Black-faced Bunting at Spurn this afternoon.
It spent much of it's time behaving like a Lancy as it skulked in the dunes and was constantly eating wild grass seed.
#RareBirdsUK
It spent much of it's time behaving like a Lancy as it skulked in the dunes and was constantly eating wild grass seed.
#RareBirdsUK
October 21, 2025 at 10:02 PM
A few phonepics of the Black-faced Bunting at Spurn this afternoon.
It spent much of it's time behaving like a Lancy as it skulked in the dunes and was constantly eating wild grass seed.
#RareBirdsUK
It spent much of it's time behaving like a Lancy as it skulked in the dunes and was constantly eating wild grass seed.
#RareBirdsUK
Black-faced Bunting striking a pose at Spurn this afternoon
#RareBirdsUK
#RareBirdsUK
October 21, 2025 at 2:50 PM
Black-faced Bunting striking a pose at Spurn this afternoon
#RareBirdsUK
#RareBirdsUK
Lovely to see a pair of Wall Brown butterflies still lingering in my garden today.
They took a particular interest in this dandelion where the male posed briefly 🦋
They took a particular interest in this dandelion where the male posed briefly 🦋
September 15, 2025 at 5:03 PM
Lovely to see a pair of Wall Brown butterflies still lingering in my garden today.
They took a particular interest in this dandelion where the male posed briefly 🦋
They took a particular interest in this dandelion where the male posed briefly 🦋
Had a much anticipated garden tick today in the shape of two Wasp Spiders.
Also in the garden, two Wall Browns, Common Blue, Hobby, and a late Swift after the showers.
Also in the garden, two Wall Browns, Common Blue, Hobby, and a late Swift after the showers.
September 4, 2025 at 5:15 PM
Had a much anticipated garden tick today in the shape of two Wasp Spiders.
Also in the garden, two Wall Browns, Common Blue, Hobby, and a late Swift after the showers.
Also in the garden, two Wall Browns, Common Blue, Hobby, and a late Swift after the showers.
The Bank Vole, under my garden timber pile, initially relied on camouflage and keeping still.
August 23, 2025 at 7:24 PM
The Bank Vole, under my garden timber pile, initially relied on camouflage and keeping still.
Highlights from moving the timber pile in my garden to a new location just 6ft away.
Bank Vole, 6 Slow-worms, 3 Common Lizards all hiding underneath.
Bank Vole, 6 Slow-worms, 3 Common Lizards all hiding underneath.
August 23, 2025 at 7:15 PM
Highlights from moving the timber pile in my garden to a new location just 6ft away.
Bank Vole, 6 Slow-worms, 3 Common Lizards all hiding underneath.
Bank Vole, 6 Slow-worms, 3 Common Lizards all hiding underneath.
I've not posted on here for a while.
Rescued a Willow Emerald Damselfly from inside my south Essex house again.
Incredibly, this is the 16th individual over the last six years that I've found either inside my house or trying to enter my house!
More than half my sightings here are from indoors 🤷♂️
Rescued a Willow Emerald Damselfly from inside my south Essex house again.
Incredibly, this is the 16th individual over the last six years that I've found either inside my house or trying to enter my house!
More than half my sightings here are from indoors 🤷♂️
August 18, 2025 at 11:53 AM
I've not posted on here for a while.
Rescued a Willow Emerald Damselfly from inside my south Essex house again.
Incredibly, this is the 16th individual over the last six years that I've found either inside my house or trying to enter my house!
More than half my sightings here are from indoors 🤷♂️
Rescued a Willow Emerald Damselfly from inside my south Essex house again.
Incredibly, this is the 16th individual over the last six years that I've found either inside my house or trying to enter my house!
More than half my sightings here are from indoors 🤷♂️
A lovely Barn Owl filmed through my upstairs double glazing this afternoon, in gorgeous light along the Crouch. Endearing head movements, too! I was also able to see a metal ring on its leg.
The Ruddy Shelduck was still present on Blue House Farm as was another Barn Owl.
#essexBirding
The Ruddy Shelduck was still present on Blue House Farm as was another Barn Owl.
#essexBirding
March 24, 2025 at 7:18 PM
A lovely Barn Owl filmed through my upstairs double glazing this afternoon, in gorgeous light along the Crouch. Endearing head movements, too! I was also able to see a metal ring on its leg.
The Ruddy Shelduck was still present on Blue House Farm as was another Barn Owl.
#essexBirding
The Ruddy Shelduck was still present on Blue House Farm as was another Barn Owl.
#essexBirding
Ruddy Shelduck still on Blue House Farm today at range from my house a mile away.
Barn Owl also showing at the bottom of the garden.
Barn Owl also showing at the bottom of the garden.
March 20, 2025 at 10:58 PM
Ruddy Shelduck still on Blue House Farm today at range from my house a mile away.
Barn Owl also showing at the bottom of the garden.
Barn Owl also showing at the bottom of the garden.
Ruddy Shelduck still present today and yesterday on Blue House Farm as viewed from my house, one mile away! 🔭
#essexBirding
#essexBirding
March 12, 2025 at 8:01 PM
Ruddy Shelduck still present today and yesterday on Blue House Farm as viewed from my house, one mile away! 🔭
#essexBirding
#essexBirding
Lovely few hours this morning in north Norfolk.
2 Firecrest & Treecreeper nr Sheringham.
3 Dartford Warblers, Stonechats, Mistle Thrush, Siskin, Y'hammer, Red Kites on the Heath.
SibeChiff at Walsey.
Glossy Ibis, Ruff & 7 Lsr Whitefronts at Stiffkey.
Goshawk nr Holt 😊
#NorfolkBirding
2 Firecrest & Treecreeper nr Sheringham.
3 Dartford Warblers, Stonechats, Mistle Thrush, Siskin, Y'hammer, Red Kites on the Heath.
SibeChiff at Walsey.
Glossy Ibis, Ruff & 7 Lsr Whitefronts at Stiffkey.
Goshawk nr Holt 😊
#NorfolkBirding
March 2, 2025 at 3:13 PM
Lovely few hours this morning in north Norfolk.
2 Firecrest & Treecreeper nr Sheringham.
3 Dartford Warblers, Stonechats, Mistle Thrush, Siskin, Y'hammer, Red Kites on the Heath.
SibeChiff at Walsey.
Glossy Ibis, Ruff & 7 Lsr Whitefronts at Stiffkey.
Goshawk nr Holt 😊
#NorfolkBirding
2 Firecrest & Treecreeper nr Sheringham.
3 Dartford Warblers, Stonechats, Mistle Thrush, Siskin, Y'hammer, Red Kites on the Heath.
SibeChiff at Walsey.
Glossy Ibis, Ruff & 7 Lsr Whitefronts at Stiffkey.
Goshawk nr Holt 😊
#NorfolkBirding
More highlights of the distant Ruddy Shelduck on Blue House Farm bird this morning from my house.
Short-eared Owl & Barn Owl this evening, too.
#essexBirding
Short-eared Owl & Barn Owl this evening, too.
#essexBirding
February 26, 2025 at 7:47 PM
More highlights of the distant Ruddy Shelduck on Blue House Farm bird this morning from my house.
Short-eared Owl & Barn Owl this evening, too.
#essexBirding
Short-eared Owl & Barn Owl this evening, too.
#essexBirding
A Ruddy Shelduck, distantly on Blue House Farm, was a most welcome addition to the house list this morning.
Also present were 2 Barn Owls, a Short-eared Owl, 24 Pintail, 3 Avocets, and a Marsh Harrier.
#essexBirding
Also present were 2 Barn Owls, a Short-eared Owl, 24 Pintail, 3 Avocets, and a Marsh Harrier.
#essexBirding
February 24, 2025 at 5:42 PM
A Ruddy Shelduck, distantly on Blue House Farm, was a most welcome addition to the house list this morning.
Also present were 2 Barn Owls, a Short-eared Owl, 24 Pintail, 3 Avocets, and a Marsh Harrier.
#essexBirding
Also present were 2 Barn Owls, a Short-eared Owl, 24 Pintail, 3 Avocets, and a Marsh Harrier.
#essexBirding
Yellow Warbler at New Hythe today.
Eventually gave itself up to the crowd at 11am.
#kentbirding
#rarebirdsuk
Eventually gave itself up to the crowd at 11am.
#kentbirding
#rarebirdsuk
December 26, 2024 at 4:43 PM
Yellow Warbler at New Hythe today.
Eventually gave itself up to the crowd at 11am.
#kentbirding
#rarebirdsuk
Eventually gave itself up to the crowd at 11am.
#kentbirding
#rarebirdsuk
Hen Harrier this afternoon at Wallasea, although the best bird was the Dartford Warbler found yesterday by @richiegannon.bsky.social
Remarkably, there appears to be a second Dartford Warbler on the island today!
2 Great White Egrets, Greenshank & 4 Marsh Harriers also present.
#essexBirding
Remarkably, there appears to be a second Dartford Warbler on the island today!
2 Great White Egrets, Greenshank & 4 Marsh Harriers also present.
#essexBirding
November 2, 2024 at 10:01 PM
Hen Harrier this afternoon at Wallasea, although the best bird was the Dartford Warbler found yesterday by @richiegannon.bsky.social
Remarkably, there appears to be a second Dartford Warbler on the island today!
2 Great White Egrets, Greenshank & 4 Marsh Harriers also present.
#essexBirding
Remarkably, there appears to be a second Dartford Warbler on the island today!
2 Great White Egrets, Greenshank & 4 Marsh Harriers also present.
#essexBirding
Local mega this evening with a Bittern doing two pre-roost flights around Bowers Marsh.
First found y'day morning by GO.
Photos from y'day evening by TJB.
#essexBirding
First found y'day morning by GO.
Photos from y'day evening by TJB.
#essexBirding
October 28, 2024 at 6:52 PM
Local mega this evening with a Bittern doing two pre-roost flights around Bowers Marsh.
First found y'day morning by GO.
Photos from y'day evening by TJB.
#essexBirding
First found y'day morning by GO.
Photos from y'day evening by TJB.
#essexBirding