This is the lovely Nigel Farage. The photographer gave him a message before he went to support the Boxing Day hunt. He’d hate it if people shared this and signed the petition for a proper ban on fox hunting - protectthewild.org.uk/our-campaign...

Successful trip to Musselburgh lagoons with the missus this morning for the juvenile Marsh Sandpiper #ukbirds @birdguides.bsky.social

Narrowly missed a local patch year tick this morning, but was rewarded with my first Otter on the patch, also 2 Kingfisher gave a fly by. Photo courtesy of @pauldavidson936.bsky.social

Great White Egret from this morning was a patch lifer. Photo courtesy of @beardedgeordie.bsky.social #NEbirding

Successful jaunt to Margrove ponds with @beardedgeordie.bsky.social for the Pectoral Sandpiper, with supporting cast of Greenshank, Ruff, Black tailed Godwit, and LRP. #NEbirding #birds

Other highlights from the recent trip to Cornwall included Common Dolphins, Bluefin Tuna, clouded Yellow butterfly. Many dragonflies, beautiful demoselle, Brown, migrant, and common Hawker, Ruddy Darter and Golden ringed dragonfly. #insects

Recent trip to Cornwall on the Mermaid Pelagic produced 3 lifers for me Wilsons SP, Great,and Cory's Shearwaters. Then onto Suffolk for another in the shape of Zitting cisticola. Thanks to @beardedgeordie.bsky.social for driving and use of photos. #CBWPS, #birds

A visit to the RSPB Saltholme moth trap produced 9 lifers. Thanks must go to @edpritchard.bsky.social for running the trap and passing on his knowledge. #Moths

A second visit to my Valerian from a Hummingbird hawk moth. managed to get a bit footage, but not easy. @ukbutterflies.bsky.social

Fantastic start to the day when a hummingbird hawkmoth visited the Valerian in my garden. Later in Northumberland a beautiful Golden ringed dragonfly. Photo courtesy of @beardedgeordie.bsky.social @britishdragonflies.bsky.social #insects

Successful trip to Wykeham today for the ortolan bunting uk lifer number 4 for 2025 @birdguides.bsky.social @rarebirder.bsky.social #ukbirds

Trip to Thornwick Bay for the Song Sparrow with a slightly nervous @beardedgeordie.bsky.social who I have to thank for the use of his photo @ birdguides.bsky.social # ukbirds

Trip up to Ayrshire for the Western Sandpiper today.others included Sanderling and Dunlin. Thanks to @beardedgeordie.bsky.social for driving and use of the photo. @birdguides.bsky.social, @rarebirder.bsky.social, #ukbirds

I'd appreciate it if this could be re posted by as many people as possible to highlight this greedy firm. Apparently if your Husband is rushed to hospital and you get there urgently (following the ambulance) you still have to read the conditions on the sign & appeal failed. @england.nhs.uk use them

An excellent bonus on the local patch today. A mating pair of Poplar hawk moths.#ukmoths@butterfly conservation

Pied Avocets at RSPB Saltholme on Teesside - watercolour painting of these elegant wading birds. #birdart 🐡🪶 @teesbirds.bsky.social

St Aidans visit thanks to @beardedgeordie.bsky.social for driving and use of photos.

Day out at the fantastic RSPB St Aidans. Slav,BN,GC,and Little Grebe all in summer plumage. Several Bittern booming and one seen in flight, Gargany pair were the main highlights. Others included Marsh Harriers and Gropper.#birds #Yorkshire birding

Great days birding on the local patch today with 2 patch lifers,Knot,and Grey Plover. NFY were Willow Warbler,Comma,and Orange tip. Thanks to @nucifraga.bsky.social for the info. #NEbirding #birds #butterflies

FREE scope with stay on case, 20-60x eyepiece and tripod as pictured to any young birder just starting out only. Pick up only or meet if not too far. #NEbirding, @durhambirdclub.bsky.social,@ntbirdclub.bsky.social

Day trip to Nottingham with @beardedgeordie.bsky.social. Highlights were all 3 woodpeckers, Marsh tit and Goshawk at Welbeck. Successful visit to Fountains Abbey on way home with 2 Hawfinch seen. Photo courtesy of @beardedgeordie.bsky.social #birds@ birdguides.bsky.social #UKbirding

Fleeting visit to the Durham dales this morning produced displaying Ravens, Black and Red grouse, golden plover. Back on the local patch hunting Sparrowhawk and Red kites were the highlights,photo courtesy of @beardedgeordie.bsky.social #ukbirds #NEbirding

Trip to Loch Ryan and Caerlaverock yesterday. Highlights included 60+ RT Diver, c300 Scaup, 10 Black Guillemot, Crosshill, Barnacle, and PF Geese, and 2Ruff. Thanks to @beardedgeordie.bsky.social for driving and use of photos #Ukbirding

The word "legend" is all too easily used. Dennis Law WAS a legend. RIP the Lawman. Newcastle fan #football.

The smartest Blackbird on the block has chosen to visit our garden today #NEbirding #Ukbirding #birds

UK Lifer today in the form of American Buff Bellied Pipit. Thanks to @markaeaton.bsky.social for relocating the bird after it flew. #NEbirding @ntbirdclub.bsky.social #UKbirding.

Crippling views of the W B Diver in Northumberland +Greater Scaup, then another visit to the Grey headed lapwing. Ross's gull at South shields + bonus 2w Med gull and 15 sanderling on the beach ended a great day. Photo courtesy of The Bearded Geordie #NEbirding @ntbirdclub.bsky.social

Marsh Harrier and Jack Snipe from earlier today. Photos courtesy of The Bearded Geordie. #NEbirding #ukbirding #birds @birdguides.bsky.social

Cracking raptor morning on the patch, Marsh Harrier, Merlin sparrowhawk, Buzzard, and Kestrel also 3 Jac Snipe, 2 Barn owl, Little Owl and pink footed Goose. #NEbirding #ukbirding #birds

Grey headed Lapwing from today at East Chevington. #NEbirding #UKbirding #birds @ntbirdcub.bsky.social @birdguides.bsky.social @rarebirder.bsky.social

Oh, forgot to mention Grey headed Lapwing. Unforgivable.

Excellent day out in Northumberland with the Bearded Geordie. Among the goodies were 5 SEO, 2 Barn owl, Hen Harrier (ringtail), 3 Marsh Harrier, Red and Black throated diver, American Wigeon,and Iceland gull. Many more too numerous to mention. Photo courtesy of The Bearded Geordie.

I hope 2025 is as good as this year has been. I equalled the previous Gateshead year record 145, which was topped by The Bearded Geordie. Visits to Mull and Sherwood forest and surrounds were particular highlights. Hope everyone has a wildlife filled 2025. All photos courtesy of The Bearded Geordie.

Close encounter with a Roe Deer on the patch this morning

Happy Christmas, everyone. Have a great birding and wildlife filled 2025.

Some of the Beetles from the patch this year.

Had a decent year on the moth front.

Some of the Hoverflies seen on the patch this year.

2 Barn owls performed well on the local patch this morning. Other birds on the patch this morning included Woodcock, pink feet, and 4 Russian white fronts.

My first post on here, so thought I would use my last one on X.Picture of Grey headed Lapwing from last week's trip to Northumberland. Photo courtesy of the Bearded geordie.