@bigstarbirding.bsky.social
Birds birds birds, tea and cake, the mighty Boro, Big Star, Teenage Fanclub, Avett Brothers, alt-country, love a banjo.
It's time to kick out the jams motherf*ckers.
It's time to kick out the jams motherf*ckers.
#Northantsbirds A lovely day spent at Thrapston and Ringstead, with ducks to the fore. Drake Ring-necked Duck and 2 Scaup on Town Lake; the 1st-winter drake and a new-in 1st-winter female (no paler flanks and reduced white blaze cf last weeks adult female), also the cc Marsh Harrier and 8 Gt Egret.
December 5, 2025 at 8:49 PM
#Northantsbirds A lovely day spent at Thrapston and Ringstead, with ducks to the fore. Drake Ring-necked Duck and 2 Scaup on Town Lake; the 1st-winter drake and a new-in 1st-winter female (no paler flanks and reduced white blaze cf last weeks adult female), also the cc Marsh Harrier and 8 Gt Egret.
#Northantsbirds A visit to Titchmarsh LNR/Thrapston GP today, the drake Ring-necked Duck eventually showed well on both Town and Aldwinkle Lake, among good numbers of ducks (126 Pochard, c30 Goldeneye), all were skittish and mobile - the cc Marsh Harrier didn't help! Found a chonky female Scaup too🙂
November 28, 2025 at 3:35 PM
#Northantsbirds A visit to Titchmarsh LNR/Thrapston GP today, the drake Ring-necked Duck eventually showed well on both Town and Aldwinkle Lake, among good numbers of ducks (126 Pochard, c30 Goldeneye), all were skittish and mobile - the cc Marsh Harrier didn't help! Found a chonky female Scaup too🙂
#Northantsbirds A few hours at Pitsford hoping to ditch my recent birding anti-Midus touch (ace Wolfhounds song🙂), but a wander from dam to Catwalk Bay failed to deliver the Black-necked Grebe or Whooper Swan - on the way back, picked up the former v. distantly in Pintail Bay; record-shot photo🤪
November 23, 2025 at 9:22 PM
#Northantsbirds A few hours at Pitsford hoping to ditch my recent birding anti-Midus touch (ace Wolfhounds song🙂), but a wander from dam to Catwalk Bay failed to deliver the Black-necked Grebe or Whooper Swan - on the way back, picked up the former v. distantly in Pintail Bay; record-shot photo🤪
#Northantsbirds A beautiful day for a double dip (though I expected both!). No sign of the G-w Teal at Stanwick, but 5 Pintail, Redshank present. Also no sign of the Brent Goose at Summerleys; 7 Gt Egret on Marys was a site record. Heartbreaking to see this Black-headed Gull contorted by Avian Flu😥
November 21, 2025 at 7:00 PM
#Northantsbirds A beautiful day for a double dip (though I expected both!). No sign of the G-w Teal at Stanwick, but 5 Pintail, Redshank present. Also no sign of the Brent Goose at Summerleys; 7 Gt Egret on Marys was a site record. Heartbreaking to see this Black-headed Gull contorted by Avian Flu😥
Reposted
Absolutely devastated to hear of the passing of Mani. It’s hard to overstate what a massive impact the Roses had on my formative years and beyond. I could talk about it for hours, but this isn’t the time or place. Rest in peace Mani.
November 20, 2025 at 6:05 PM
Absolutely devastated to hear of the passing of Mani. It’s hard to overstate what a massive impact the Roses had on my formative years and beyond. I could talk about it for hours, but this isn’t the time or place. Rest in peace Mani.
#Northantsbirds Other than the 3 Ibis, Summerleys provided little excitement, but Marys Lake gave up the goodies, with a 2w Caspian Gull and an adult YL Gull among a good number of larger Gulls - if we ever get a cold snap, hopefully a white-winger will drop in🤞
November 8, 2025 at 7:40 PM
#Northantsbirds Other than the 3 Ibis, Summerleys provided little excitement, but Marys Lake gave up the goodies, with a 2w Caspian Gull and an adult YL Gull among a good number of larger Gulls - if we ever get a cold snap, hopefully a white-winger will drop in🤞
#Northantsbirds Nice to find this 2nd-Winter Mediterranean Gull on Marys late afternoon (more black in the primarys than the 2W I had there Oct 13th). Before this, thought I heard a YBW calling at Podington Garden Centre, only to realise it was a squeaky wheelchair🙂; honestly, it sounded identical!
November 7, 2025 at 7:14 PM
#Northantsbirds Nice to find this 2nd-Winter Mediterranean Gull on Marys late afternoon (more black in the primarys than the 2W I had there Oct 13th). Before this, thought I heard a YBW calling at Podington Garden Centre, only to realise it was a squeaky wheelchair🙂; honestly, it sounded identical!
#Northantsbirds With yet another Black-faced Bunting in the UK today, definitely worth checking every Reed Bunting locally this Winter, some inland county is going to strike it lucky🤞! I wonder what drives these single-species influxes of extremely rare birds cf Siberian Accentor?
November 6, 2025 at 9:19 AM
#Northantsbirds With yet another Black-faced Bunting in the UK today, definitely worth checking every Reed Bunting locally this Winter, some inland county is going to strike it lucky🤞! I wonder what drives these single-species influxes of extremely rare birds cf Siberian Accentor?
But won't someone think of the poor political donors, sorry, housing developers, we build so few houses these days, and they barely make a penny in profits...🤬
Political system utterly broken in this country, bereft of empathy or compassion for anything but capitalism.
Political system utterly broken in this country, bereft of empathy or compassion for anything but capitalism.
Last night, Peers voted against Swift bricks: rejecting a simple, proven way to help one of our fastest declining birds recover. ❌
We share @hannahbournetaylor.bsky.social's disappointment & frustration.
The vote came late, but with government refusing to back it, its fate was already sealed.
We share @hannahbournetaylor.bsky.social's disappointment & frustration.
The vote came late, but with government refusing to back it, its fate was already sealed.
November 5, 2025 at 9:23 AM
But won't someone think of the poor political donors, sorry, housing developers, we build so few houses these days, and they barely make a penny in profits...🤬
Political system utterly broken in this country, bereft of empathy or compassion for anything but capitalism.
Political system utterly broken in this country, bereft of empathy or compassion for anything but capitalism.
#Northantsbirds Another look at the Lesser Scaup at Ditchford this afternoon, thankfully without the stress and swearing of Mondays visit! Love watching the shape of the bird change as it streamlines itself pre-dive; also looks so tiny next to the Gadwalls feeding off whatever it stirred up🙂
October 30, 2025 at 8:37 PM
#Northantsbirds Another look at the Lesser Scaup at Ditchford this afternoon, thankfully without the stress and swearing of Mondays visit! Love watching the shape of the bird change as it streamlines itself pre-dive; also looks so tiny next to the Gadwalls feeding off whatever it stirred up🙂
#Northantsbirds An unexpected 2nd bite at the drake Lesser Scaup cherry this evening! Arrived to find no birders present and low,strong Sun making silhouettes of all ducks; ran to the North side, constantly swearing, and, as dusk fell, finally picked up the almost mythical duck! And breath...😉
October 27, 2025 at 9:05 PM
#Northantsbirds An unexpected 2nd bite at the drake Lesser Scaup cherry this evening! Arrived to find no birders present and low,strong Sun making silhouettes of all ducks; ran to the North side, constantly swearing, and, as dusk fell, finally picked up the almost mythical duck! And breath...😉
#Northantsbirds Easing ourselves back into local birding with a wander round Summerleys today. Plenty of ducks about but nothing different. A single dead Mute Swan on the main lake😕. A Jack Snipe showed bobingly well on Eddies. The Gull hotspot of Marys produced this 2W Caspian🙂.
October 26, 2025 at 6:47 PM
#Northantsbirds Easing ourselves back into local birding with a wander round Summerleys today. Plenty of ducks about but nothing different. A single dead Mute Swan on the main lake😕. A Jack Snipe showed bobingly well on Eddies. The Gull hotspot of Marys produced this 2W Caspian🙂.
Last day in Norfolk😟, but another decent day. Walked to Friary Hills from Cley, very vocal YB Warbler at the East end, on the Freshes, 9 Cattle Egret, Glossy Ibis and Whooper Swan. Back at Salthouse, walked to Kelling Quags, family party of 4 Whoopers on the WM, mobile Glossy Ibis and brief SEOwl.
October 24, 2025 at 7:45 PM
Last day in Norfolk😟, but another decent day. Walked to Friary Hills from Cley, very vocal YB Warbler at the East end, on the Freshes, 9 Cattle Egret, Glossy Ibis and Whooper Swan. Back at Salthouse, walked to Kelling Quags, family party of 4 Whoopers on the WM, mobile Glossy Ibis and brief SEOwl.
Lazy day, the weather not exactly conducive for finding migrant passerines🤪. Did have a quick look at Sheringham seafront, but not a lot moving. Decided to head for the shelter of Cleys hides early evening, with some nice waders present - Spotted Redshank, 2 Little Stint and 2 vocal Greenshank🙂.
October 23, 2025 at 8:17 PM
Lazy day, the weather not exactly conducive for finding migrant passerines🤪. Did have a quick look at Sheringham seafront, but not a lot moving. Decided to head for the shelter of Cleys hides early evening, with some nice waders present - Spotted Redshank, 2 Little Stint and 2 vocal Greenshank🙂.
Spent hours around the Overstrand-Trimingham area with its Warbler-friendly clifftop woods, for just a single Chiffchaff🤪. Back to Salthouse,a Glossy Ibis behind the ducks pond, then down Meadow Lane at dusk, where the Yellow-browed Warbler showed incredibly well in its favoured tiny Sallow patch🙂.
October 22, 2025 at 7:51 PM
Spent hours around the Overstrand-Trimingham area with its Warbler-friendly clifftop woods, for just a single Chiffchaff🤪. Back to Salthouse,a Glossy Ibis behind the ducks pond, then down Meadow Lane at dusk, where the Yellow-browed Warbler showed incredibly well in its favoured tiny Sallow patch🙂.
Started at Stiffkey campsite wood, trees hooching with Chaffinch and Brambling,but just a couple of Chiffchaff; found a roosting Tawny Owl. Nothing at Garden Drove. Parked up at Salthouse, a Merlin flew over, more (distant) views of the GG Shrike, finished with 3 each of Cattle Egret and Glossy Ibis
October 21, 2025 at 7:58 PM
Started at Stiffkey campsite wood, trees hooching with Chaffinch and Brambling,but just a couple of Chiffchaff; found a roosting Tawny Owl. Nothing at Garden Drove. Parked up at Salthouse, a Merlin flew over, more (distant) views of the GG Shrike, finished with 3 each of Cattle Egret and Glossy Ibis
Ended up a brilliant day in North Norfolk, but started by dipping the 6 Salthouse Glossy Ibis. Parked up at Cley VC and did the walk around Blakeney Freshmarsh, with 7 Cattle Egret and c1000 Pink-footed Geese. At Friary Hills, found 2 Yellow-browed Warblers, elusive but calling regularly. Back to
October 20, 2025 at 5:47 PM
Ended up a brilliant day in North Norfolk, but started by dipping the 6 Salthouse Glossy Ibis. Parked up at Cley VC and did the walk around Blakeney Freshmarsh, with 7 Cattle Egret and c1000 Pink-footed Geese. At Friary Hills, found 2 Yellow-browed Warblers, elusive but calling regularly. Back to
Started today with a walk round Muckleburgh Hill, just a Rose-ringed Parakeet of note🤪, then on to Sidestrand to try for the Pallas Warbler; after waiting 3 hours we had good views when it was very active for a 5 minute spell, including the classic 'admire my yellowy rump whilst I hover' pose🙂
October 19, 2025 at 7:55 PM
Started today with a walk round Muckleburgh Hill, just a Rose-ringed Parakeet of note🤪, then on to Sidestrand to try for the Pallas Warbler; after waiting 3 hours we had good views when it was very active for a 5 minute spell, including the classic 'admire my yellowy rump whilst I hover' pose🙂
Atmospheric walk from Hunstanton towards Heacham early morning, Fieldfare, Redwing, Starling and Chaffinch moving in good numbers, with smaller counts of Siskin, Redpoll and Brambling; plenty of 'continental' Blackbirds too. 4 calling Whooper Swan over too.
October 18, 2025 at 7:51 PM
Atmospheric walk from Hunstanton towards Heacham early morning, Fieldfare, Redwing, Starling and Chaffinch moving in good numbers, with smaller counts of Siskin, Redpoll and Brambling; plenty of 'continental' Blackbirds too. 4 calling Whooper Swan over too.
Away at the in-laws in Hunstanton today before we head for a week in Kelling tomorrow🙂. Couple of hours at Titchwell, spent along the Meadow Trail, heard the YB Warbler calling several times, only to find it was someone using playback🤬. 100's of Fieldfare, Redwing and Pink-feet over, love it!
October 17, 2025 at 5:39 PM
Away at the in-laws in Hunstanton today before we head for a week in Kelling tomorrow🙂. Couple of hours at Titchwell, spent along the Meadow Trail, heard the YB Warbler calling several times, only to find it was someone using playback🤬. 100's of Fieldfare, Redwing and Pink-feet over, love it!
#Northantsbirds Summerleys this evening, a showy Water Rail in front of Pioneer Hide was outdone by the trio of Glossy Ibis, amazing to see them so close! Female Pintail also on the main lake. A sizeable pre-roost of Gulls on Marys incl. ad Caspian and 3 ad YL Gulls, also 300+ Bh Gull, 150+ Gadwall
October 15, 2025 at 8:27 PM
#Northantsbirds Summerleys this evening, a showy Water Rail in front of Pioneer Hide was outdone by the trio of Glossy Ibis, amazing to see them so close! Female Pintail also on the main lake. A sizeable pre-roost of Gulls on Marys incl. ad Caspian and 3 ad YL Gulls, also 300+ Bh Gull, 150+ Gadwall
#Northantsbirds Summerleys this evening, love this time of year, winter birds piling in and a chill in the air🙂. 3 Glossy Ibis present, 6 (1 drake) Pintail, bobbin' Jack Snipe on Eddies Island, several Redpoll and 17 GoldenPlover. Marys Lake had ad YL Gull, flyaround 2w Med Gull, plus 164 Gadwall.
October 13, 2025 at 8:07 PM
#Northantsbirds Summerleys this evening, love this time of year, winter birds piling in and a chill in the air🙂. 3 Glossy Ibis present, 6 (1 drake) Pintail, bobbin' Jack Snipe on Eddies Island, several Redpoll and 17 GoldenPlover. Marys Lake had ad YL Gull, flyaround 2w Med Gull, plus 164 Gadwall.
Reposted
The breeding population of Red-flanked Bluetail in Finland has risen spectacularly in recent years, with the latest Finnish nesting-bird report estimating there to be 13,000 breeding pairs for the 2019-2024 period:
Spectacular growth in Red-flanked Bluetail population across Finland
Finland's 2024 nesting bird report reveals a major increase in Red-flanked Bluetail, with breeding pairs rising from 1,500 in 2013-18 to an esimated 13,000 in 2019-24. While the species remains Vulnerable due to its concentration in eastern and north-eastern Finland, habitat expansion, potentially driven by warming climate, and earlier spring warmth are likely assisting its spread. Other taiga birds show mixed fortunes, reinforcing the need for continued monitoring.
bit.ly
October 12, 2025 at 6:16 AM
The breeding population of Red-flanked Bluetail in Finland has risen spectacularly in recent years, with the latest Finnish nesting-bird report estimating there to be 13,000 breeding pairs for the 2019-2024 period:
Came across this little Christmas game in a shop in Earls Barton today, a bingo game inspired by your usual British birds - except, check out no.15, just a common old garden Siberian Accentor...🙂
October 11, 2025 at 6:59 PM
Came across this little Christmas game in a shop in Earls Barton today, a bingo game inspired by your usual British birds - except, check out no.15, just a common old garden Siberian Accentor...🙂
#Northantsbirds A fairly 'meh' wander at Titchmarsh LNR and Town Lake today, with the juv Glossy Ibis and juv Ruff both still present; otherwise, 8 Great Egret, a male Stonechat and a 1st-winter drake Goldeneye the best of the rest. Some close views of Red Kite were nice🙂
October 10, 2025 at 2:43 PM
#Northantsbirds A fairly 'meh' wander at Titchmarsh LNR and Town Lake today, with the juv Glossy Ibis and juv Ruff both still present; otherwise, 8 Great Egret, a male Stonechat and a 1st-winter drake Goldeneye the best of the rest. Some close views of Red Kite were nice🙂