david-walsh.bsky.social - Profile | ThreadSky | a Reddit-style client for Bluesky

First day of a new month, wonderful weather, and an uplifting walk & catch up with @joshuapev.bsky.social from Levington Marina to Trimley. An obliging Hare, close Pochard, Knot feeding with Dunlin, Little Egret. 60+ species. #ukbirding #suffolkbirding

submitted 1 day ago • 0 comments

In the afternoon we visited Oostvaardersplassen, a vast wetland. From a panoramic viewpoint we saw 16 White-tailed Eagles. We moved on to a trail from the visitor centre where we tallied 18 including 8 in a single field of view. Eagles perched on ice and in trees, catching fish, etc. Truly unreal.

submitted 10 days ago • 1 comment

Day 2 of our mini break in The Netherlands was spent on the Flevoland polder. At Lelystad Natuurparc we saw Willow Tits, Short-toed Treecreepers & Hawfinches in the car park then five Smew before unexpectedly finding ourselves a Long-eared Owl roost (four birds) 1/2

submitted 10 days ago • 0 comments

Last walk in Pembrokeshire this holiday was a wet one! Good to see the Green-winged Teal, 7 Goosanders and year ticked a Treecreeper. Stopped at Kenfig Pool on the way home to see the American Wigeon, which was a lifer! #ukbirding #birdingWales

submitted 11 days ago • 0 comments

There were loads of birds on Texel, but eventually we drifted back towards Alkmaar. This drake Baikal Teal was remarkably co-operative. I had only seen one previously, at Minsmere in 2001. Not many days when this wouldn’t be ‘bird of the day’.

submitted 11 days ago • 0 comments

I’d seen lots of pics of the Spectacled Eider on Texel, but never dreamt I would have the opportunity to see it. So I jumped at the chance of a lift & a short break in the Netherlands. It was freezing cold this morning but we saw it; this afternoon conditions were better, as were the views. Awesome!

submitted 12 days ago • 0 comments

Headed up the Suffolk coast today with James Porter. At Carlton & Benacre we caught up with @tsbirding.bsky.social & dad. Cracking views of Bearded Tits + Marsh Harriers and Scaup + Whooper Swans. James & I then nipped to Minsmere where this Kingfisher was the highlight! #ukbirding #suffolkbirding

submitted 16 days ago • 0 comments

Despite the weather, I headed to Alton Water this afternoon for a catch up with Ed Keeble. The mobile finch flock near the Wonder numbered over 400 birds, mainly Linnets and Chaffinches but we found several Bramblings too #ukbirding #suffolkbirding

submitted 21 days ago • 0 comments

submitted 22 days ago • 0 comments

A brilliant talk @sbgbarnowls.bsky.social by Sally & @dave09.bsky.social for Waldringfield Wildlife Group, fabulous to see a packed hall thoroughly enjoying hearing all the fascinating facts and about the project's work! @suffolkbirdgroup.bsky.social #suffolkbirding

submitted 23 days ago • 0 comments

A big thank you to the Waldringfield Wildlife Group for inviting us to speak about our project and share insights on Barn Owls. It was wonderful to see such a great turnout. Special thanks to @dave09.bsky.social for helping with the talk! @suffolkbirdgroup.bsky.social #suffolkbirding

submitted 23 days ago • 2 comments

Returned to Holbrook this afternoon for seconds of Hawfinches. The birds appeared regularly, but we needed to be on red alert to spot them! Multiple scope views today. Great to share the magical experience with a local young birder and several Suffolk Bird Group stalwarts #ukbirding #suffolkbirding

submitted 23 days ago • 1 comment

Putting seed out in my garden as usual hoping the Reed Buntings appear as in previous years. No luck yet, but a pair of Stock Doves are visiting most days #ukbirding #suffolkbirding

submitted 23 days ago • 0 comments

Fun to see the Orwell Black-throated Diver again today, my first sighting since 1 January #suffolkbirds #ukbirds

submitted 26 days ago • 0 comments

Patience was required, but great to catch up with one of the Hawfinches in Holbrook churchyard this afternoon #ukbirding #sufffolkbirding

submitted 28 days ago • 0 comments

A convivial morning at Loompit Lake catching up with several birding friends. The celebrity Tundra Bean and Pink-footed Geese showed better than the Great Northern Diver! #ukbirding #suffolkbirding

submitted 30 days ago • 0 comments

Despite the morning rain, today’s guiding for Naturetrek was much enjoyed. 72 species in total. Found two Firecrests in Dunwich Forest, saw Bewick’s and Whooper Swans + Purple Sandpiper at Minsmere, 200 Common Scoters offshore and c60 Snow Buntings at the feeding station #suffolkbirding #ukbirding

submitted 30 days ago • 0 comments

Wow dropped onto a Slavonian Grebe off Levington Creek this morning in the River Orwell and as the tide rose it came close enough to get some pics and ventured into the Creek itself

submitted 32 days ago • 0 comments

A Corn Bunting at Deben Lodge, Falkenham. #birds #ukbirding #SuffolkBirds

submitted 32 days ago • 0 comments

A Raven from my house was a nice surprise yesterday, my 150th Suffolk bird of the year. Today I had a long reflective walk in Belstead Brook Park. Fun to be shown a Brown Hairstreak egg by David Dowding, and great to see the work done by Greenways to create new pools/channels in the main reedbed.

submitted 33 days ago • 0 comments

A beautiful day for my first full day of birding on Saturday, on the @suffolkbirdgroup.bsky.social trip to Thorpeness and North Warren. Many thanks to @david-walsh.bsky.social for leading. A nice selection of birds - wetland, woodland and heathland plus a bit of seawatching! #suffolkbirding

submitted 35 days ago • 0 comments

Excellent @suffolkbirdgroup.bsky.social walk around Thorpeness yesterday thanks to leader @david-walsh.bsky.social with best views ever of White-fronts & Goosander and great company as always! Very lucky with the weather too for a change🌞 #suffolkbirding

submitted 36 days ago • 0 comments

Sam O'Donnell's brilliant capture of a displaying Common Goldeneye is today's Photo of the Week:

submitted 42 days ago • 0 comments

Nipped to Abberton and Copt Hall today. Got lucky with the elusive drake Lesser Scaup before enjoying this Great Grey Shrike at remarkably close range. After lunch at the visitor centre I had more good fortunate, seeing the Ring-necked Duck #ukbirding #essexbirding

submitted 42 days ago • 1 comment

Did your Green Sandpipers survive the January cold snap? Northern UK sites may well be on the edge when it comes to winter survival. More here: wadertales.wordpress.com/2019/01/18/w... #ornithology

submitted 44 days ago • 2 comments

Sam O'Donnell introduces us to his local patch Walthamstow Wetlands, and tells a tale of the exciting species seen during his time birding there. britishbirds.co.uk/news/patchin...

submitted 44 days ago • 1 comment

Finished my last mock exam and rushed over to Patch at Walthamstow Wetlands to see this Golden Plover. It showed insanely well and within touching distance at points! I hope it ok, as it seemed possibly unwell.

submitted 49 days ago • 2 comments

Two of the five Red-crested Pochards at Alton Water this lunchtime #suffolkbirding #ukbirding

submitted 49 days ago • 0 comments

In my opinion, Goldeneyes are one of the best looking ducks in Europe. I love their displays as well, and I'm so lucky I get to see them regularly on Patch at Walthamstow Wetlands! OM-1 + 150-400mm F4.5 #ukbirding #patchbirding #birdwatching #londonbirding

submitted 49 days ago • 1 comment

Left the fog behind and headed up the coast today. The highlight was a wonderful couple of hours at Walberswick, with Bearded Tits feeding close to the iconic windmill, Snow Buntings on the beach and a stunning ringtail Hen Harrier. A Dartford Warbler nearby was a bonus. #ukbirding #suffolkbirding

submitted 51 days ago • 0 comments

Amazing to see Hawfinches today at Sotterley. @suffolkbirdgroup.bsky.social

submitted 55 days ago • 1 comment

Spent yesterday morning with James Porter on the Shotley peninsula trying to find the ultra elusive Corn Bunting flock. No luck, but we were very chuffed to see a ringtail Hen Harrier at Erwarton, my first locally for many years. James’ record shot #ukbirding #suffolkbirding

submitted 52 days ago • 1 comment

What an incredible week of Northumbrian birding 🤯. Sat - 115 sp. (inc. Grey-headed Lapwing) in bird race 🏆 Mon - single observer 😬 flyby Brunnich’s Guillemot Tues - point blank White-billed Diver Thurs - glowing pink Ross’s Gull Fri - American Buff-bellied Pipit #NEbirding #birds #rarebirdsUK

submitted 52 days ago • 11 comments

The Glaucous Gull wasn’t on its favoured carcass, so I was thrilled when it was relocated nearby: my first sighting for three years. Finished the day at the Warham raptor roost with Pallid Harrier in good light, male Hen Harrier, Merlin & Barn Owl + magical Pink-footed Geese overhead 2/2 #ukbirding

submitted 58 days ago • 0 comments

Staying in NW Norfolk for a couple of nights which meant a full day’s birding on the coast without the long drives to/from home. Started by walking from Hunstanton to Holme where I had these Shore Larks all to myself as well as a Great Northern Diver & thousands of waders on the beach 1/2 #ukbirding

submitted 58 days ago • 0 comments

Headed to the Abberton area today to catch up with @samodonnell25.bsky.social & other friends. In gloriously sunny weather we enjoyed watching a Slavonian Grebe at point blank range as well as 10 Black-necked Grebes, 3 Bewick’s Swans, 3 Short-eared Owls & a pair of Smew #ukbirding #essexbirding

submitted 58 days ago • 1 comment

Headed up the coast today in glorious sunshine, and Thorpeness was the place to be. Saw my first Tundra Bean Geese for nearly two years, with Ring-necked Duck and Velvet Scoters close by + Hooded Crow at Snape. Eight species of goose in total! #ukbirding #suffolkbirding

submitted 59 days ago • 1 comment

Happy New Year! As usual I spent NYD birding on & around the Shotley peninsula. Despite a rain break I tallied 95 species inc Black-t Diver & Common Sandpiper. Mild conditions meant passerines were vocal & the rising tide was well timed. Finished with Water Rail on patch #suffolkbirding #ukbirding

submitted 61 days ago • 0 comments

An enjoyable walk and long-awaited catch up with @joshuapev.bsky.social & his Dad at Levington this morning. Great to have sunshine! Over 50 species inc fab views of Red Kite, Grey Plover, Wigeon, Pintail, Teal, Shelduck, Lapwing, Kestrel. #suffolkbirding

submitted 63 days ago • 0 comments

Great to have such a good view of this Black-throated Diver on the Orwell close to home earlier today. #suffolkbirding #ukbirding

submitted 69 days ago • 0 comments

Over 40 years since I was first bullied into doing a cover for Suffolk Bird Report. This one painted onto canvas and given a little tickle in Photoshop once scanned, might sound like a crime to the purists but is no different to finishing off a crème brûlée with blowtorch really. #UKBirding #Birdart

submitted 80 days ago • 3 comments

My Naturetrek group thoroughly enjoyed watching this Starling murmuration and a bonus ringtail Hen Harrier to round off a splendid day on the Suffolk coast!

submitted 80 days ago • 0 comments

Spent today with my niece on the Suffolk coast; we saw a fabulous selection of birds. Highlights: a bonus White-rumped Sandpiper, her first Avocets, Marsh Harriers, Bearded Tits, Cranes, Bewick’s Swans, Firecrest etc, a flock of Snow Buntings + a Starling murmuration to round things off! #ukbirding

submitted 86 days ago • 0 comments