Charlie J
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charliesj.bsky.social
Charlie J
@charliesj.bsky.social
Mostly birding in Essex
A predictably quiet visit to Southend Pier today with no divers, but a Kittiwake was on the posts with the Med Gulls and 5 BN Grebes were off to the east.

#essexbirding #birds
January 18, 2026 at 8:34 PM
A few photos from RHS Hyde Hall today. Other highlights: c10 Redpoll passing over a few times, Siskin, Mistle Thrush, Meadow Pipit, Tawny Owl & Cetti's Warbler heard and 2 Pochard on the reservoir.

#essexbirding
January 17, 2026 at 9:41 PM
50 species at Weald CP today, highlights: At least 20 Goosander, 50+ Siskin, Redpoll, 2 Little Egret, Treecreeper, Nuthatch, Grn & GSW, Tawny Owl (Heard), Fieldfare, Mistle Thrush, Greenfinch, Grey Wagtail, Coal Tit, Red Kite, Buzzard and Kestrel.

#essexbirding #patchbirding
January 16, 2026 at 7:45 PM
A sometimes snowy local walk around Crow Grn today. At least 19 Lapwing hanging around, other highlights: Redwing, Fieldfare, Buzzard, Red kite, Tawny Owl, Rook, Grn & GSW and 5 Goosander still holding out on the tiny part of unfrozen lake.

#essexbirding #patchbirding
January 6, 2026 at 5:47 PM
Both lakes frozen at Weald CP and the birds that don't like thrown food have moved on, highlights: Nuthatch, Treecreeper, Siskin, Goldcrest, Grn & GSW and Coal Tit.

At least 7 Goosander near Crow Green where the lake was only half frozen with 7 Lapwing also dropping in.

#essexbirding #patchbirding
January 5, 2026 at 6:14 PM
A freezing cold day at Lynford Arboretum. M+F Hawfinch early on then Siskins, Marsh Tits, Nuthatch, Treecreeper and great views of Crossbill.

#ukbirds #birds #birding
January 4, 2026 at 9:17 PM
Sorry about the poor photos but does anyone have an opinion on this gull from yesterday? I assumed Herring Gull but the beady eye is throwing me. Size was comparable to LBBG also present.

#essexbirding
January 2, 2026 at 3:53 PM
Just a short local walk around Crow Green to start the year, highlights: Tawny Owl, 3 Goosander, Red Kite, Redwing and a flock of Siskin.

#essexbirding #patchbirding
January 1, 2026 at 9:31 PM
Spent a nice day in St Albans with some good birds about. Showy Kingfisher in Verulamium Park, 2 Peregrine on the Cathedral and plenty of Siskin at Watercress NR. Other highlights: GSW, 2 Red Kite, Little Egret, Mistle Thrush, Nuthatch, Greenfinch and Grey Wagtail.

#ukbirding #birds
December 30, 2025 at 7:18 PM
Not brave enough to go birding over Weald CP on Christmas day but a late walk on local lanes delivered a patch tick Lapwing near Crow Green. Always worth heading out.

#essexbirding #patchbirding
December 25, 2025 at 4:41 PM
Afternoon at RHS Hyde Hall today, 2 Snipe and a Pochard on the reservoir were the most notable birds, with plenty of Fieldfare and Redwing about. Lots of noisy Robin posing in the sun got the most attention.

#essexbirding #birds
December 22, 2025 at 6:55 PM
Highlights from Weald CP today: 14 Goosander, GC Grebe, L. Egret, Kingfisher, Siskin, Redpoll, Red Kite, Buzzard and Kestrel. 47 species total.

Unfortunately also had to report to the rangers that one of the juvenile Swans had fishing tackle caught up in its wing.

#essexbirding #patchbirding
December 19, 2025 at 5:25 PM
Hundreds of Pied Wagtails coming in to roost in two trees on Shenfield High St. A good show if you sit at the Costa coffee.

#essexbirding
December 14, 2025 at 4:21 PM
Snow Bunting today at the Naze, just at the entrance to Stone Point.

#essexbirding
December 12, 2025 at 4:21 PM
Chelmsford today to have a look at the Whooper Swan in Central Park, also had a very close Chiffchaff by the river at Bond St and a Grey Wagtail over the river in town.

#essexbirding
December 6, 2025 at 8:47 PM
3 Little Egret at Weald CP today after 2 yesterday. Other highlights: 17 Shoveler, 8 Goosander, Kingfisher, Kestrel, GC & Little Grebe, GS & Grn Woodpecker, Heron, Coal Tit, 50+ Siskin flocking around the lake and a Redpoll over Fox Wood.

#essexbirding #patchbirding
December 3, 2025 at 6:12 PM
Highlights from Weald CP today: 2 Little Egret, 7+ Goosander, 15 Shoveler, Siskin, Grn & GS Woodpecker, Buzzard, GC Grebe, Nuthatch and Redwing. After, from the garden 2 Red Kite and a Redpoll flying over.

#essexbirding #patchbirding
December 2, 2025 at 5:22 PM
Highlights from Weald CP today: Siskin throughout the woods with a flock of at least 50 moving around the lake, 15 Shoveler, 10 Goosander, 2 Woodcock, Grn & GS Woodpecker, Redwing, Mistle Thrush, Treecreeper, Nuthatch and Goldcrest.

#essexbirding #patchbirding
November 27, 2025 at 4:26 PM
Highlights from Weald CP today: 4 Goosander (2 drake), Kingfisher, Shoveler, Meadow Pipit, Grey Wagtail, Grn & GS Woodpecker, Stock Dove, Red Kite and Buzzard.

#essexbirding #patchbirding
November 20, 2025 at 3:55 PM
Highlights from Weald CP today: Woodcock, drake Teal, 6 Shoveler, Kingfisher, Grey Wag, Linnet, Siskin.

They've installed a couple of platforms onto the lake, I might've preferred if the money was spent removing fishing tackle from the trees, but still a nice spot to stand.

#essexbirding
November 12, 2025 at 4:56 PM
50 bird species at Weald CP today, highlights: Drake Teal on the main lake, Shoveler, Gadwall, Kingfisher, Redwing, Fieldfare, Greenfinch, LBBG, Common Gull, GC Grebe, Red Kite, Buzzard, Grn & GS Woodpecker, Grey Wag, Siskin, Goldcrest, Meadow Pipit, Rook and Stock Dove.

#essexbirding #patchbirding
November 8, 2025 at 5:37 PM
Highlights from Weald CP today: Red Kite, Buzzard, Grn & GS Woodpecker, Meadow Pipit, Grey Wagtail, Kingfisher, Shoveler, Heron, Siskin, Goldcrest and a Little Egret.

#essexbirding #patchbirding
November 4, 2025 at 7:06 PM
Reposted by Charlie J
I have personally seen teenagers walking through a park in Chelmsford with a catapult trying to, and in some cases, succeed in killing squirrels and birds.

The police went after them, but I doubt they got any real punishment. Sign the petition.

petition.parliament.uk/signatures/1...
Petition: Make it an offence to carry a catapult in public without lawful defence
Change the law so catapult possession in public is an offence. Currently, police must prove intent or use to cause harm. We propose it becomes an absolute offence, like air rifles, without lawful defe...
petition.parliament.uk
October 30, 2025 at 7:05 AM
A few more Meadow Pipits joining the flock today at Weald CP, at least 6 Shoveler and a Little Grebe on the lakes.

One of the BHG had a leg ring but only a single metal one I can barely read.

#essexbirding #patchbirding
October 28, 2025 at 8:14 PM
Highlights from Weald CP today: 4 Meadow Pipit back for winter, Mistle Thrush, Redwing, Kestrel, Buzzard, Shoveler, Gadwall, Stock Dove, Siskin and Linnet.

Also had a couple of showy domestic Mallards take up residence in the last few weeks, maybe Silver Appleyard?

#essexbirding #patchbirding
October 27, 2025 at 8:12 PM