Paul French
@nomadbirder.bsky.social
Birder, purveyor of aerial bird identification wizardry & secretary of British Birds Rarities Committee
The Easington Hume's Wblr showed nicely on Friday, although the unseasonably bright sunshine made it surprisingly difficult to get a shot. Too much light combined with operator incompetence! #spurnbirds
November 22, 2025 at 9:47 PM
The Easington Hume's Wblr showed nicely on Friday, although the unseasonably bright sunshine made it surprisingly difficult to get a shot. Too much light combined with operator incompetence! #spurnbirds
Its probably the best bet to find one of these in Europe, too...
November 21, 2025 at 6:26 PM
Its probably the best bet to find one of these in Europe, too...
Sun Parakeets lived up to their name, as did Red Siskin. I'm always amazed when you go to a site for a monster rarity (both rare mainly due to trapping for the cage bird trade), and suddenly there they are, doing their thing as if they're not rare at all.
November 20, 2025 at 6:07 PM
Sun Parakeets lived up to their name, as did Red Siskin. I'm always amazed when you go to a site for a monster rarity (both rare mainly due to trapping for the cage bird trade), and suddenly there they are, doing their thing as if they're not rare at all.
Plenty of hummers, although perhaps not as gaudy as the more montane species. Still, this Plain-bellied Emerald is rather range restricted, not so the very widespread Glittering-throated Emerald.
November 20, 2025 at 6:07 PM
Plenty of hummers, although perhaps not as gaudy as the more montane species. Still, this Plain-bellied Emerald is rather range restricted, not so the very widespread Glittering-throated Emerald.
Two of the highlights were this distant Crested Eagle and a nesting Harpy Eagle. Just enthralling and humbling to spend time with the ultimate forest raptor, and we were incredibly lucky to find a Crested Eagle.
November 20, 2025 at 6:07 PM
Two of the highlights were this distant Crested Eagle and a nesting Harpy Eagle. Just enthralling and humbling to spend time with the ultimate forest raptor, and we were incredibly lucky to find a Crested Eagle.
The colours of autumn, a Siberian Chiffchaff on Vicars Lane, Easington shows just how its appearance can change against different backgrounds. Probably the split I'm most hoping for! #Spurnbirds
November 17, 2025 at 7:55 AM
The colours of autumn, a Siberian Chiffchaff on Vicars Lane, Easington shows just how its appearance can change against different backgrounds. Probably the split I'm most hoping for! #Spurnbirds
Well chuffed for @clickbeetle85.bsky.social finding this lovely little Hume's at the Tithe Barn, Easington. Now, if it will only scoot about 200m to the east, i'll be even happier! #Spurnbirds #RareBirdsUK
November 16, 2025 at 10:13 PM
Well chuffed for @clickbeetle85.bsky.social finding this lovely little Hume's at the Tithe Barn, Easington. Now, if it will only scoot about 200m to the east, i'll be even happier! #Spurnbirds #RareBirdsUK
Nice to find a Water Pipit at Outstrays on this mornings WeBS count, plus a PB of 10 Great White Egrets. The pipit was in the north corner of the older realignment, near the new pumping station #Yorkshirebirding
November 9, 2025 at 10:46 PM
Nice to find a Water Pipit at Outstrays on this mornings WeBS count, plus a PB of 10 Great White Egrets. The pipit was in the north corner of the older realignment, near the new pumping station #Yorkshirebirding
While dipping on Pallid Swift, I was contemplating the future of the gas terminal. I reckon its got 15-20 years at current rates of erosion before the cliff top comes knockin'!
November 9, 2025 at 2:33 PM
While dipping on Pallid Swift, I was contemplating the future of the gas terminal. I reckon its got 15-20 years at current rates of erosion before the cliff top comes knockin'!
Yes, still there: doi.org/10.2173/bow....
November 2, 2025 at 11:59 AM
Yes, still there: doi.org/10.2173/bow....
Google maps has been updated with new aerials of the Outstrays NR. A nice birds eye view of the developing realignment.
November 1, 2025 at 8:13 PM
Google maps has been updated with new aerials of the Outstrays NR. A nice birds eye view of the developing realignment.
Managing to be more focussed and actually get some photos edited. Here is a taster from our recent trip to Scilly to do some pelagics and have a general wander. More images at www.flickr.com/photos/38562...
November 1, 2025 at 6:22 PM
Managing to be more focussed and actually get some photos edited. Here is a taster from our recent trip to Scilly to do some pelagics and have a general wander. More images at www.flickr.com/photos/38562...
Our garden Yellow-browed Wblr showed very nicely all day today. We'll be giving it a name soon! #SpurnBirds
October 21, 2025 at 8:56 PM
Our garden Yellow-browed Wblr showed very nicely all day today. We'll be giving it a name soon! #SpurnBirds
Sadly, I prefer the US version. However, i much preferred the cover style and font of Owls of the Eastern Ice over both of these. That drew you in organically with a well chosen scenery shot, it was gorgeous. These new ones are more 'in your face'. I'll still get it though 🙂
October 21, 2025 at 5:51 AM
Sadly, I prefer the US version. However, i much preferred the cover style and font of Owls of the Eastern Ice over both of these. That drew you in organically with a well chosen scenery shot, it was gorgeous. These new ones are more 'in your face'. I'll still get it though 🙂
There are much closer photos out there, but in a mad dash "extended lunch break", I was happy just to see the Spurn Blk-faced Bunting. Then this Yellow-browed Wblr brightened up the afternoon back at my desk, giving our best ever garden showing despite just managing to see one every year #SpurnBirds
October 20, 2025 at 6:20 PM
There are much closer photos out there, but in a mad dash "extended lunch break", I was happy just to see the Spurn Blk-faced Bunting. Then this Yellow-browed Wblr brightened up the afternoon back at my desk, giving our best ever garden showing despite just managing to see one every year #SpurnBirds
Turns out the pod of Bottlenose Dolphins that went north past Kilnsea & Easington yesterday morning contained a well known female called "Runny Paint" after the distinctive markings around her dorsal fin (visible in 3rd photo) @spurnbirdobs.bsky.social
October 19, 2025 at 11:57 AM
Turns out the pod of Bottlenose Dolphins that went north past Kilnsea & Easington yesterday morning contained a well known female called "Runny Paint" after the distinctive markings around her dorsal fin (visible in 3rd photo) @spurnbirdobs.bsky.social
The skies were dripping with thrushes today, but the arrival was localised mainly to the Kilnsea and south side of Easington. Despite looking out from the gas terminal for the whole morning, only 7 Redwings came in! But a few minutes walk to the south this pm, and I joined in the Fieldfare fun.
October 17, 2025 at 7:36 PM
The skies were dripping with thrushes today, but the arrival was localised mainly to the Kilnsea and south side of Easington. Despite looking out from the gas terminal for the whole morning, only 7 Redwings came in! But a few minutes walk to the south this pm, and I joined in the Fieldfare fun.
This tiny patch of rank grass on the Easington coast path held a much anticipated Yellow-browed Wblr tonight. Presumably fresh in at 1730hrs. Autumn is finally here!
October 13, 2025 at 6:08 PM
This tiny patch of rank grass on the Easington coast path held a much anticipated Yellow-browed Wblr tonight. Presumably fresh in at 1730hrs. Autumn is finally here!
Its a f*****g conspiracy!!
October 9, 2025 at 4:19 PM
Its a f*****g conspiracy!!
Possibly the worst picture of Glossy Ibis taken this year, but theres 11 of them and they're on patch.
October 2, 2025 at 5:38 PM
Possibly the worst picture of Glossy Ibis taken this year, but theres 11 of them and they're on patch.
Fresh off the Challenger expedition to the Canyons MPA along the shelf edge at the limits of UK territory, we seem to have broken new ground with the status of Band-rumped Storm-petrels. A handful on the first two days were great, but on the third day, the cup truly runneth over, and 84 were...
September 21, 2025 at 4:43 PM
Fresh off the Challenger expedition to the Canyons MPA along the shelf edge at the limits of UK territory, we seem to have broken new ground with the status of Band-rumped Storm-petrels. A handful on the first two days were great, but on the third day, the cup truly runneth over, and 84 were...
Memories of last weekends Scilly pelagics still in the mind, and a mountain of photos to go through. I like this one, giving a sense of the big seas and a Cory's in wave rider mode #ukbirding
September 10, 2025 at 7:28 AM
Memories of last weekends Scilly pelagics still in the mind, and a mountain of photos to go through. I like this one, giving a sense of the big seas and a Cory's in wave rider mode #ukbirding
Its hotting up for 2nd place in the eBird garden year list as we head into what could be a very productive period for several participants. I aim to get 100 sp per year, hopefully on track for that. A certain Spurn birder is aiming for 200 from his garden this year, the difference a Humber can make!
September 8, 2025 at 6:57 PM
Its hotting up for 2nd place in the eBird garden year list as we head into what could be a very productive period for several participants. I aim to get 100 sp per year, hopefully on track for that. A certain Spurn birder is aiming for 200 from his garden this year, the difference a Humber can make!
Just finished an epic long weekend with @scillypelagics.bsky.social, and what a fantastic 4 trips we had. Near constant views of Great & Corys, plus regular Wilsons and super confiding Sabines Gulls, Grey Phals and Long-t Skuas, but the icing on the cake for me was this Scopoli's Shearwater.
September 1, 2025 at 9:59 PM
Just finished an epic long weekend with @scillypelagics.bsky.social, and what a fantastic 4 trips we had. Near constant views of Great & Corys, plus regular Wilsons and super confiding Sabines Gulls, Grey Phals and Long-t Skuas, but the icing on the cake for me was this Scopoli's Shearwater.