Why dogs are great; they force you out on days like this and it’s just lovely! Quiet, other than the gentle sound of sleet pattering on the reeds, light breeze in the trees and river streaming by. Even birds were silent save a startled pair of mallards and an unseen oystercatcher’s piping call

2025 was a record year in and around West Raynham; 120 bird species, all within walking distance of home. Main attraction the revitalised Raynham Lake, where I saw several new species for my patch: red-necked grebe, little gull, goldeneye among highlights. 2026 started well with 71 spp on 1st day

Amazing weather for 9 November and a clouded yellow butterfly - my first in the Raynham area, ever. Pochards on the lake are a local rarity and we saw a kingfisher perched on the life buoy.

Just been found by an email. Fortunately, it wished me well.

Still a couple of active swift nests here in West Raynham and at least four adults flying around over the village this evening. Huge numbers of house martins too and a hobby passed through @saveourswifts.bsky.social @hannahbournetaylor.bsky.social

Within next couple of weeks, most of these wonderful birds will be heading back south to Africa. Take a moment now to enjoy 'peak swift' time before its too late. These are just some above West Raynham this evening @saveourswifts.bsky.social @hannahbournetaylor.bsky.social

Just done my first 15 minute count for #BigButterflyCount at St Margaret's Churchyard, West Raynham. Mostly a gatekeeper and whites show, but this beauty turned up - wall brown, a site first! Disappointingly, @savebutterflies.bsky.social the App doesn't allow me to record other species 🙁

In our 7th year of conservation work at St Margaret’s Churchyard, West Raynham, Norfolk, great to see such a rich variety of wildflowers now well established #NationalMeadowsDay stmargaretsruins.org

A little late for #wildflowerHour this week but can't let these stunners go unmentioned: greater bladderwort, cowbane and frog bit in this quiet channel near the R Ant, How Hill, Norfolk

Counting swifts when they are swirling fast overhead is tricky. Best to snap a pic and count the dots. Here, over West Raynham this morning I reckon there are 33 in shot. Nice how some reflect the sun off their wings #swiftawarenessweek @jonathanpomroy.bsky.social @hannahbournetaylor.bsky.social

Went to Cow Pasture Wood, Glapthorne, N Hants today to look for black hairstreak butterfly - never seen them before. Was not disappointed. Stunning little creatures and a great woodland habitat.

Some evening pictures from Holkham Beach, Norfolk on Bank Holiday Monday. It's nice when the crowds have gone. What an awesome place.

Early morning walk round Raynham Lake produced 4 common sandpiper, the first common tern here for 3 years (and first since lake was desilted) and a pair of spotted flycatchers, which is earliest I have seen them here.

An hour by Raynham Lake and along the Wensum early this morning: 55 bird species, including first cuckoo and reed warbler on the patch and a late fieldfare

West Raynham - first willow warbler this year by Raynham Lake and surprisingly a late redwing

Not quite #Firstbirdofmyday but awoke to song of a treecreeper in our front garden @hannahbournetaylor.bsky.social Went out to look for it and then saw first house martin of the year over our N Norfolk village. Not seen a swallow here yet.

Just seen my first house martins of the year, but I am in Madrid, so that’s allowed. Hope this means they are on their way north…

Anyone for goosanders? Got to be up there amongst favourite ducks. Lausanne. Switzerland

Lovely serene moment with a pair of mute swans on lake edge in Lausanne #LastBirdOfMyDay @hannahbournetaylor.bsky.social

One of my rare visits to Lausanne for meetings at IOC today. Did have time to walk back along lake shore and through parkland. Magic moment finding hawfinches and short-toed treecreeper among these trees and Med gull by lake - no binoculars, just pure urban birding @theurbanbirder.bsky.social

A pair of Egyptian geese under the moon.

Great spotted woodpecker heard drumming today! Not the full fervour of spring but drumming nonetheless. Felt very out of context. Happy Christmas all.

The three white dots here at Raynham Lake this morning are (L-R) Little, Great and Cattle egrets. None new for site but never had all three together in same view- unimaginable just a few years ago.

Took my wife the #ABBAVoyage for birthday treat yesterday. Fabulous show, thoroughly recommend and amazing venue. Stayed and ate in East Village (former Athletes’ Village) and walked to venue through the QE Olympic Park. Such a great and lively area now - proud of #London2012 legacy/impact.

Well, let's see how this goes. Starting out here on Bluesky, so how about a couple of pictures of the Aurora borealis over our home in Norfolk last month. Looking forward to reconnecting with Twitter refugees and new friends