NO Birding for 7 of us this morn @westmidbirdclub.bsky.social Belvide Reserve, as we prepared 2 new 3mx3m Tern nesting rafts for towing out.Rewarding work. In the summer we’ll be repairing our 2 - 4.8mx2.4m fibreglass rafts for refloating. Thanks to the guys who gave up their time this morn. 👏🏻 😀👍🏻

A great way to end the day, the bizarre sight of a normally sea faring female Common Scoter on the Staffs-Worcs Canal..a few 100m from my home in Baswich, Stafford.I’m guessing it was put down by a rain squall this PM. 😳Thanks to the finder for putting the news out. #Birds #BirdPhotography #Birding

Great piece by @katebradbury.bsky.social on the RSPB's shift towards an evidence-based policy on bird feeding; I look forward to reading the full report #UKBirding #Ornithology katebradbury.substack.com/p/is-it-time...

Water Pipit for today’s #BirdOfTheDay ..theme standing on #Grass Captured in the foothills of the French Pyrenees a few years ago! 😌 #Birds #Birding #BirdPhotography

Nice to catch up with the smart Drake Ring-necked Duck at Chasewater Reservoir, Staffs UK, late afternoon. Never drifted that close though. Also, 2 Goosander, 2 LRP, 2 Oystercatcher & c150 Sand Martin. 🤩 #Birds #Birding #Ducks

Welcome Bird migrants in the River Sow Valley, Baswich-Milford, Staffs this early AM. 2 Whitethroat (earliest patch record by a week) Willow Warbler, Sedge Warbler. Also, 2 Lt Egret, 3 LRP, 9 dueling Cetti’s, 4 Blackcap, Oystercatcher & an unusual 2 Gadwall. 😎

A chilly 2 hours on Radford Meadows, Stafford this morning…rewarded with 2 Black tailed Godwit, 4 Oystercatcher, Peregrine, 2 Lt Egret, 2 Blackcap, 3 Cetti’s, 18 Shelduck, 26 Shoveler, Goosander, 2 Pintail, c80 Teal & just 6 Wigeon remain. 👍🏻 @staffsbirdnews.bsky.social

A lunchtime scan of the changing scene of the beautiful Aberdesach Bay, North Wales. Quite quiet for Birds but a superb 4 Red throated Divers & a group of 7 Great Northern Divers. The latter in transitional plumage ..a pre season gathering before heading off far north, to who knows where to breed. 😌

A good afternoon visit to @westmidbirdclub.bsky.social Belvide Bird Reserve, Staffs, UK last Saturday. Year ticks of Sand & House Martin, Black necked Grebe & Little ringed Plover. Several, squally showers passed through with Birds sheltering in front of the Andrew Chappell Hide. 🦉🪶 #Birds

Northern Shoveler studies … Birds with a bit of ‘always looking annoyed’ character! This pair showed well at @westmidbirdclub.bsky.social Belvide Reservoir Reserve, Staffs, UK, last Saturday. 🦉🪶 #Birds #Birding #BirdPhotograpy #naturephotography

All the ‘4’s..44 species recorded on River Sow Meadows, Baswich-Milford Staffs, this AM.Northern Wheatear,5 Cetti’s, Mandarin, 2 Goosander,35 Wigeon,17 Skylark, 3 Redwing, 2 Grey Wagtail, 2 Lt Egret.(+ a lady showed me a phone vid of a Beaver on the river a month back😳) @staffsbirdnews.bsky.social

I usually visit a locality in Scotland for Taiga Bean Goose. However, this one, with its duo of Pink footed Geese pals was only twenty miles from home at Longdon on Tern, Shrops. A pleasing encounter with images/vid taken at great distance this late afternoon. 😀👍 🦉🪶 #Birds #Birding #Nature

Another look at the Mow Cop Shorelark, on the Cheshire-Staffs border this PM. Showed well for 20mins. A striking Bird - 49 days on site I believe. Image of the ‘Border’ wall -Cheshire on the far side is where the Bird frequents #Birds #UKBirding #Birdphotography 🦉🪶

Today is the first #NationalLoonDay, marking the 65th anniversary that the MN Legislature made the Common Loon our State Bird! I love drawing and painting these beauties, especially now that they're one symbol of our community standing up each other. #BirdArt #SciArt #Nature #FineArt

When I rolled up to the small harbour, in Port Patrick, SW Scotland this morn, I was hoping to see a Black Guillemot. At one point there were twenty three, surface skimming & swirling about in the water. Pairing up for the breeding season no doubt. Beautiful. 🤩 🦉🪶 #Birds #Birding #Naturephotography

Half a century of species on Radford Meadows, Stafford this AM. 62 Russian White fronted Geese, 51 Pintail, 4 Shelduck, Goldeneye, 75 Shoveler, 7 Gadwall, 4 Goosander, Curlew, 4 Oystercatcher,4 Golden Plover, 652 Lapwing, Peregrine, Lt Egret, 3 Cetti’s, 6 Siskin. @staffsbirdnews.bsky.social

I nipped in to see the Shorelark at Mow Cop on the North Staffs/Cheshire border this PM. Cracking individual with probably the brightest colouration I’ve seen in the species. Siberian temperature up there on the high ground with poor light, but a superb encounter! 🥶 😀👍

A quick march to the south end of Radford Meadows, Stafford at dusk, revealed at least 124 Russian White fronted Geese. Also a quick count of 61 Pintail, 2 Shelduck 6 Goosander & Cetti’s. Year tick Green Sandpiper x 2 were a joy to find. @staffsbirdnews.bsky.social @staffswildlife.bsky.social

I couldn't resist another visit to the White-billed Diver in Dundee today and I'm glad I did as @dundeebirding.bsky.social and I were treated to some lovely close views of this fantastic bird. #birds #birdingscotland

Whirlwind Sunday in North Wales, with great views of the Bufflehead at Llyn Coron. Plus an Anglesey support cast of 3 Slav Grebe, LT Duck, 2 GN Divers, Mergansers, 40+ PB Brent Geese, Waders etc. 2 showy Drake Surf Scoters at Colwyn (once we found ‘em!😊) +100’s Common Scoters & 5 R T Divers👍🏻 #Birds

In addition to 40 Russian White fronted Geese at Amerton Flood meadows, Staffs there were 4 Shelduck, 481 Lapwing, 19 Golden Plover, Curlew, 300 Starling, c100 Wigeon+Teal & Shoveler This imm Peregrine ensured everything stayed at one end of the flood! 🦉🪶 #Birding #Birds @staffsbirdnews.bsky.social

@staffsbirdnews.bsky.social 40 Russian White-fronted Geese on Amerton Flood meadow, east of Stafford, Staffs at midday.

Decent walk along River Sow Meadows Baswich -Milford local patch, east of Stafford this AM. Red kite, 6 Goosander, 80 Wigeon, 60 Teal, 2 Oystercatcher, 2 Cetti’s, 2 Siskin, 28 Skylark flock,3 Raven. Hawthorn breaking bud. 😳 #Birds #Birding @staffsbirdnews.bsky.social

A check of Amerton Flood meadow, east of Weston, NR Stafford after lunch .. weh hey.. found 38 loafing Russian White-fronted Geese . Also, 3 Oystercatcher, Curlew, 502 Lapwing, 84 Wigeon, 36 Shoveler, 2 Greylag. 2 Gadwall…. And then the heavens opened! ☔️ @staffsbirdnews.bsky.social

Well flooded Radford Meadows, Stafford this AM. 81 Pintail, Pochard, 3 Tufted Duck, 2 Goosander, 20 Gadwall, 150 Shoveler, 500+ Wigeon, 500+ Teal, 612 Lapwing, Oystercatcher, Snipe, Golden Plover, Great Egret & Lt Egret, 8 Siskin, 247 LBB & 18 Herring Gull. @staffsbirdnews.bsky.social

Curlew Sandpipers at @rspbtitchwellsnett.bsky.social for #BirdOfTheDay and the theme of #Reflection 😌

I’ve heard some of these recording’s and they’re superb! 😀👍 @staffsbirdnews.bsky.social @staffswildlife.bsky.social

A gloomy start to the day here in our Colchester garden. 1 Lesser Redpoll still around and a sign that spring is not too far away, here’s our male Blackcap singing which it’s been doing since Jan 26th. ( my earliest singing bird ) #essexbirding

Enjoyable visit to murky Aqualate Mere NNR, Staffs this AM. Good views of an Otter, Water Rail & Cetti’s Warbler (4). Also 5 Great Egret, fem Marsh Harrier, c150 Lapwing, 6 Shelduck, 15+ Pintail, 40+ Wigeon, 2 Stonechat & 29 Chaffinch flock. #Birds #Birdhotography 🦉 @staffsbirdnews.bsky.social

‘Birds in Landscape’ & just being there in the moment! Teal & Mallard at dusk on Radford Meadows, Stafford, mid week. It’s hard to believe there’s fields under that water! 🌅😌 #Birds #BirdPhotography #NaturePhotography #Sunset 🪶

My best ever experience with Snow Buntings last week with a flock of c70 at Winterton, Norfolk, UK. Fantastic, characterful Birds. 🤩 #BirdPhotography #NaturePhotography #Birds #UKBirds 🦉🪶

@staffsbirdnews.bsky.social 3 hours on a flooded Radford Meadows, Stafford, UK this AM. Patch rare fem Pochard, 3 Goosander, 2 Shelduck, 18 Gadwall, 69 Pintail, 94 Shoveler, c1200 Lapwing, 11 Golden Plover, c60 Siskin, Stonechat, Lt Egret, Kingfisher, 2 Skylark.100’s Wigeon/Teal. #Birds #Birding 🦉🪶

Northern Lapwing for #BirdOfTheDay & today’s theme of #Iridescent . In the U.K. they have the alternative name of Green Plover (you can see why) or Pee-wit (from the call) 😀 #Birds #Nature #UKBirds

A summer visitor, Yellow Wagtail (British race flavissima) for #BirdOfTheDay .. about as #yellow as you can get! #Birds #Nature 🦉🪶

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Handsome and friendly fella let me spend some time with him today! #birds #nature #photography

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Posedown In The Wild... Gunner The Pine Grosbeak (Husband of Gracie), enjoying the fresh air and scenery. Stunning plumage. He enjoys the Pine Forests of the Northern Wilderness. Very handsome. 📸🇨🇦 #AlgonquinPark #PineGrosbeak #Birds #Wildlife #Photography #WildlifePhotography #OntarioParks #Canada

Just got back from Japan and managed to sneak off to Hokkaido for a couple of days to see Steller's sea eagles. Still processing all my images but here is a quick view of the two eagle species on the ice - white tailed in the foreground and Steller's. Amazing how much bigger the Steller's are! 🦉🦅

"In The Garden - Dunnock" Hand embroidery thread painting on wallpaper artwork. The third in my new series. #AnimalArtTuesday #birds #embroidery #WildlifeArt

The small Bird with the big voice… Eurasian Wren for #Birdoftheday #brownisbeautiful 🦉🪶 😀

Seven sacks of dead Pheasants dumped by side of road in S Lanarkshire. Dodgy ethics aside, no need to worry about the mandatory biosecurity measures that everyone, including gamebird shoot managers, are supposed to comply with, eh? #AvianFlu New blog ⬇️ raptorpersecutionuk.org/2026/01/26/s...

Successful trip to Norfolk to see the B W Kite yesterday, but the c70 exquisite Snow Bunting flock at Winterton, easily stole the show. Iceland Gull, Med Gull, Purple Sandpiper, Bewick’s & Whooper Swans, 26+Crane flock, Marsh Harriers amongst other species seen on a great day! 😎 #Birds #Birding 🦉🪶

Hen Harrier killing continues on England’s #grouse moors in 2025. A parliamentary debate back in June did not generate a step change. Blog: markavery.info/2026/01/20/r... Photo: Dynamo/Ivan Ellison @rspbinvestigations.bsky.social @northyorkmoors.org.uk @forestofbowlandnl.bsky.social #Defra

Yellow-browed Warbler action in an outflow ditch, in north Warwickshire UK, a few days back. A far cry from it’s summer home in the Siberian Taiga Forest & normal winter range of SE Asia. I liked how it ’bossed’ the accompanying Chiffchaffs. What an incredible little #Bird #Birding #Birds 🦉🪶

Shorelark in habitat on the top of the Great Orme, Llandudno, North Wales… a nice way to spend a lunchtime today. An atmospheric place to see a great Bird. 🤩 #Birds #Birding 🦉🪶 #Wales

Smart Barnacle Geese on the Solway Firth, Scotland. #BirdOfTheDay #BlackandWhite 🪶🦉

A yellow wagtail is singing to stop the setting sun. Its just too early to be night! 1/800s, ISO 5000, F5.6 #bird #photography #nature #birdphotography #wagtail

Love it when a plan comes to fruition…24 Crossbill in Abraham’s Valley Cannock Chase, Staffs this AM. Mostly feeding high in the Larches (apart from one😀) Also c80 Siskin flock, 10 Ls Redpoll & Grey Wagtail. 🪶🦉

What a sight the three Slavonian Grebes were this afternoon at Whitemoor Haye, Staffordshire, UK. Those eyes penetrate right into your soul. 😌(Captured at 1260mm & cropped) #Birds #Birding #Birdwatching 🦉🪶