OOF Showing well #westernreefheron

My first Quail in 32 years and the 1st that I've managed to see on the deck. Felt as good as a lifer. No playback, just patience and some thermal assistance.

OOF!

Gannet still present this morning. Looks healthy enough and had a couple of test flights. #Orgreavebirds

Not what I expected on the late shift!! #Orgreavebirds

Having watched the forecast for the last week I couldn't help but get a little giddy when I leapt of of bed at 5:30. A classic inland wader day surely, with Northeasterlies and claggy rain. I wasn't disappointed. Total of 32 Dunlin, 3 Sanderling, Whimbrel and Ringed Plover. #Orgreavebirds

With the absence of an Arctic Tern day last year (just 1 bird), today's was extra special. At least 39 still present when I left late morning. The 2 Little Gulls also hanging around. #Orgreavebirds

Not much time this morning, but a quick dash round the patch yielded Avocet, 2 Common Terns and 2 Little Gulls. Surely they'll be Arctic Terns in these north-easterlies.

Nice to get on on the Black Tern action picking up these 5 on patch on the ride home from work. The earliest birds I've seen in the UK. #Orgreavebirds

Always nice to get my first Wheatear of the year, though later than usual, as was the Little Ringed Plover.

It's that time again!

'The New Birds of the Sheffield Area' Indoor Meeting: Weds 11th Feb 7.15pm Join us to celebrate the launch of our fabulous new 440 page book detailing all 300 species ever sighted in our area. Editors Richard & David will talk us through the project. Copies for sale + complimentary fizz!

1st full days birding in too long. A Scaup was an unexpected patch NFY, though probably the recent Catcliffe bird. A group of 6 Whoopers, 25 Pinkies east and a Long-eared Owl that gave itself up to the thermal. Merry Christmas one and all.

The newly-published 2024 Derbyshire Bird Report should have reached you already, if you are a DOS member Non-members can buy a copy, prices £10.30 inc p&p: the perfect thing for some post-turkey reading: see the order form at www.derbyshireos.org.uk/order24.php #DerbyshireBirds

Firecrest is a long overdue addition to the patch list. Found by a visiting birder, who'd called to see a passing steam train, in the bushes where I always fancied one. Hopefully add it to the bike list on Friday, though doubt it'll show this well again! #Orgreavebirds #UKBIRDING #Yorkshirebirding

Christmas Indoor Meeting: Weds 10th December 7.15pm 'Birds and Us' with Professor Tim Birkhead plus the traditional wine, mince pies and then on to the pub! LT2, The Diamond Building Leavygreave Rd Sheffield City Centre #ukbirding #yorkshirebirding

⬇️ Don’t forget! ⬇️ This Wednesday. Come and see out the birding year in style! 2026 Calendars and recent Annual Report will be on sale. Plus member’s offer on our forthcoming book.

A forced brake from birding on the bike was broken this morning, when the journey to work added R C Pochard and Scaup, taking me nicely to 151 for the 10km from home. Target was 150, so anything now is a bonus. #UKBIRDING

At this rate, Black-faced Bunting will soon outnumber Yellowhammers in the UK #ukbirding

Come and join us at our Indoor Meetings Next up: ‘Barn Owls - The Inside Story’ Pete Garrity chronicles a family of Barn Owls breeding at the bottom of his garden - all caught on camera. Weds 12th Nov 7.15pm LT2 The Diamond Builiding Leavygreave Rd

Check your letterboxes! Your dedicated SBSG Trustees and Officers are out this week and next delivering the latest Annual Report by hand and by post. Surplus copies will go on sale at November Indoor meeting #ukbirding #yorkshirebirding

Eventually fine views of the Black-faced Bunting at Spurn this afternoon. #ukbirding ##Yorkshirebirding #spurnbirds

Did this between some commission bird learning, but now not sure whether to add a blue wash to the background of the main bird now... I rather like it as it is but🤔

Did a doubke-take as I drove past Catcliffe Flash. A quick U-turn confirmed what I thought I'd seen, 4 Great Egrets. Possibly a record count for the local area, though certainly the most I've seen together. #Ukbirding ##Yorkshirebirding

Jack Snip, a species I thought I'd lost on the patch due to the development of favoured areas. Hopefully, these SUDS drains will continue to hold them through the winter. #Orgreavebirds #UKbirding #Yorkshirebirding

Back on the patch and the 10km from home. Caught up with this late Spotted Fly (only the 4th patch record) that's been around since Wednesday and a couple of Pintail on Catcliffe Flash, both NFY. #Orgreavebirds #Yorkshirebirding #UKbirding

There I was enjoying this Purple Sandpiper and Snow Bunting on Filey Brigg. Blissfully unaware of what was happening in Scarborough. The dash up the cliff side was interesting, though not as much as the heart rate warning I got whilst stuck in traffic 10 minutes later 🤔 #Yorkshirebirding #ukbirding

Bucket list birds don't get much better than a White-tailed Needletail in God's own county. Almost landed on the castle on 2 occasions. #Yorkshirebirding #UKbirding

Want to enjoy the wonders of autumn migration? Then join our next field trip at Redmires, on the 19th of October. Details at www.sbsg.org/diary-dates/... #ukbirding #YorkshireBirding

Any birders reporting autumn passage Ring Ouzels (esp in southern England) please look out for coloured leg rings on juveniles from the Peak District Eastern Moors project. 🙏 Report to [email protected] Combo of 3 colours on left leg @birdguides.bsky.social @rarebirder.bsky.social #ukbirding

The wait is nearly over! Our 2021 Annual Report will be available for collection in person at our October Indoor meeting (8/10/25 7.15pm @ The Diamond) Postal/Hand delivered copies will go out in the following weeks The lovely cover art celebrates the Porter Valley Long-tailed Skua #ukbirding

A few familiar faces on page 54 of the latest Birdwatch. Including a very young @mjlbirder.bsky.social 😉

One of our local colour-ringed juvenile Ring Ouzels has turned up near Glossop. The lower bird in photo, seen feeding on Rowan & Hawthorn. Ringed in the nest at Stanage on 27/6/25 (second brood) - an 18km movement west Thanks to reporter Paul Cole for sharing his photos #ukbirding #yorkshirebirding

After the deluge: A sunny Sunday morning greeted members who attended the ringing demo with Sorby Breck Ringing Group at Blackburn Meadows. 134 birds caught - feisty Jay a highlight! #ukbirding #yorkshirebirding

And just like that, winter appeared. Never had September Whoopers before, also a decent movement of Pinkies, with cheering.350 between 8 and 9am. #Orgreavebirds #UKBIRDING #Yorkshirebirding

Proud dad moment. 😍 @sheffieldhallamuni.bsky.social

Great to catch up with some great birding friends on Saturday, particularly Richard Fray, who I last saw 23 years ago 🤯 Thanks to @shrikebirding.bsky.social for sorting and to @greeny55.bsky.social for catching a moment with me smiling 😉

Back to back Maiden on the BBC. @tommckinney.bsky.social is this your influence 🤔

I've been spending far too much time at my old patch lately. After a decent hour at Orgreave, with Arctic Tern and Merlin through, I found myself back at Rother Valley for this splendid Grey Phal'. Not one I expected for the 10km year. #Ukbirding #lowcarbonbirding

A slight diversion on the bike this morning, when I got a message about these 3 Glossy Ibis at Rother Valley. A return visit for 2 Ruff, took my 10km year to 140sp. #ukbirding #lowcarbonbirding

1st January 1987, and I'm rolling around (hungover) in the back of a Fiesta van to see my 1st UK Cattle Egret at New Mills. If only the 56 year old me had travelled back in time to tell me that in 40 years, they'll be on your doorstep, I could have stayed at the party and...Never mind!

Could this be the most southerly record of macaroni cheese pie??

Not sure what my colleague made of being put on hold whilst I grabbed the bins for a group of c.30 Common Scoter over the garden. Another one for the house list 😊 #ukbirding

After a very dull few hours on the patch, a Little Egret over the garden was a well received house tick. My 95th sp in 25 years. #ukbirding

Just 100m detour on the ride home for this splendid Southern Migrant Hawker, at Woodhouse Washlands, a new dragon for me. Thanks to @andydeigh.bsky.social for hanging round until I got there. Across the road good numbers of juvenile Sand and House Martins on the patch.

Loaded up with all the gear for a full day's birding yesterday. Expectation was high with easterlies and rain. Saw F all of note. Better today, travelled light, bins bridge camera and a bottle of squash. 3 Juv yellow wags and 2 Lesser Whitethroats, including a stunning juvenile. #Lowcarbonbirding

A brief, though, very vocal Whimbrel and an unusually showy Great White on the way to work this morning. #Orgreavebirds #ukbirding #Lowcarbonbirding #yorkshirebirding

Big shop Friday. The first time I've driven since Saturday, and I absolutely hated it. Maybe my next "car" will be one of those cargo bikes!