A final accounting of my year list for 2025: a very average 139sp, 15 lifers - unsurprising given this is only my 4th listing year. Highlights include Red-backed Shrike at Portbury Wharf, Sooty Shearwater and Eider on Lunga and my first Cornish Choughs

#totp hard to believe this was the year of Energy Flash

Just finished my shift at Arnos Vale Cemetery, heard a Tawny Owl hooting as I was locking up for the night.

Spent half an hour observing birds visiting feeders set up at Leigh Woods by Bristol University students. A dozen or so visits by Marsh Tits during that time. #bristolbirding

A few images of fungi from an abundance seen today at Leigh Woods, Bristol

Found my first Firecrest of the autumn at Leigh Woods. Treecreeper, Nuthatch and Peregrine also. #bristolbirding

Two feathers from Leigh Woods - Tawny Owl and Buzzard

Cracking review by @JimFam.bsky.social in today’s Observer. Fish pie mix and cold custard ceviche sounds like one to swerve. observer.co.uk/style/restau...

Day spent birding Avon gorge - 2 groups of juvenile Kestrel, Peregrines showing well playfully mobbing one another, one landing right above me for a time by the reserve entrance - showed some kids, which is always the best bit. Terrible photo…

Rodent jawbones extracted from owl pellets found at Ebdon Farm

Some venerable oaks along the banks of the River Severn near Deerhurst, Glos.

Owl pellets found at Ebdon today. If you zoom in there are tiny jawbones visible.

First cattle arriving at Ebdon Farm

Great to see half a dozen returning swifts over their annual nest site at Totterdown Baptist Church on Wells Road, Bristol. Excitedly pointed them out to a random passerby; suspect @hannahbournetaylor.bsky.social would approve of this behaviour.

Bristol’s Langton Street Bridge aka the Banana Bridge with a fresh paint job. As a kid, I had nightmares about this bridge, mainly due to the fearsome anti-climb spikes on the arches. Prior to the refurb many spikes were missing but they’ve now been faithfully restored.

Scaffold supporting the fire-damaged Glasgow School of Art

Lousewort seen on Ulva, today. Incredible island.

Staying in the old blacksmith’s house opposite the church at Dervaig, Mull. Daybreak birding with otters and red deer thrown in. Barwit, C Sand, Dunlin, Goosander, Curlew, Redshank, Oystercatcher on our doorstep. Bliss.

Delighted to announce AWT’s plans for nature’s recovery at Ebdon Farm in North Somerset www.avonwildlifetrust.org.uk/ebdon-farm

I’m doing another bird & birdsong tour at Arnos Vale Cemetery, details and booking here: arnosvale.org.uk/birds-and-bi...

Apple blossom in the garden

Snake’s Head Fritillary in the woodland at Arnos Park, possibly transplanted with garden waste left nearby.

Repeat business - I’ve left material from the dead hedge for this nest-making blackbird

Fresh water every morning is proving popular….

Frogspawn has appeared overnight in the garden pond. A week later than last year.

Great views of a Bittern swimming in open water at @rspb.bsky.social Ham Wall today, sighted briefly in the reed-bed shortly after.

Bullfinches seem to be sticking at Arnos Vale, one or both sighted every visit over the last 2 weeks

I’m leading a birds and birdsong tour at Arnos Vale Cemetery in March - more info and booking here arnosvale.org.uk/birds-and-bi...

Delighted to re-find a male Bullfinch first seen on Sunday at Arnos Vale Cemetery (natural burial woodland) - this time with paired with a female.

Cliff top walk from Penarth today, the most bullfinches I’ve ever seen together with a flock of at least nine then a further six elsewhere later, also close views of Peregrine taking advantage of the windy conditions to hunt the cliff edges.

Found 4 Firecrest today at Arnos Vale Cemetery, the most in a single visit so far this winter. The area marked on this map, which extends to Arnos Park, has yielded the most sightings.

Found this badger skull at the entrance of the badger set at Arnos Vale

Don’t often complete the Azed puzzle on Sunday.

Sunshine at Arnos Vale, bit of birding before the early kickoff (QPR) - birdsong aplenty, seen: coal tit, firecrest, chiffchaff and a nice flock of redwing.

First primroses at Arnos Vale

@chartmusictotp.bsky.social is THE mint and skill pop music podcast, so get on board, pop-crazed Bluesky people x

One for any mycologists out there. Unsure of the species, suggestions welcome. The wood is Ash, location UK.

A day at the ‘office’ and a chance to visit the resident Exmoor Ponies. Chew Valley Lake in the distance.

Leipzig

I love this time of year. Firecrest again at Arnos Vale this morning, also Chaffinch, Stock Dove and Sparrowhawk.

Daybreak at Arnos Vale Cemetery, Bristol, UK - Firecrest and Redwing seen, Green Woodpecker calling

Garden dead hedge

Hello World