Self-confessed twitcher & West Midlands birder, thwarted by work, 2 kids + a wife. With a few moths, butterflies + dragonflies thrown in for good measure.
To appreciate how great an actor Robbie Coltrane was forget Harry Potter and watch Ink + Incapability then To Be A Somebody. The comedic sparring as Dr Johnson with Rowan Atkinson in Blackadder juxtaposed with the emotionally charged faceoff as Fitz with Robert Carlyle in Cracker
Just watching
@DoubleYourHouse
- can't believe you are advocating the monstrosity that is artifical grass
@sarahbeeny
. Let our homes breath and nature maintain a small toe hold in ourlives
@Shitlawns
This vegetated dell at Buckton is providing a home for a Green Warbler, my 500th bird in Britain yesterday. Sadly a mad dash to the coast path failed to connect with the Fea's Petrel that had just gone by Flamborough Head whilst the albatross was resting up unseen on the cliffs
Usual rubbish photos but dont care - first winter Bonaparte's Gull at
#uptonwarren
this evening looking settled on the Moors Pool.
My 200th species for the reserve reached after 24 years and also a nee addition for my
@WestMidBirdClub
regional list.
Congratulations to the 34 sites who participated in Saturday's Spring edition of West Midlands All Day Birdwatch. Great to see some sizeable totals, new locations joining in & several notable solo efforts. Will post combined list in few days
#westmidsalldayer
@WestMidBirdClub
Personally I wont be sorry to see the back of 2020, a year of many lows that took me to the very edge of a breakdown. Thank you all for your likes, retweet and replies; each meant a lot in the circumstances. Hoping for a better 2021 and to see more of everyone "in the field".
V disappointed to have a Twitter exchange with an alleged wildlife lover (who's now blocked me) seeking an effective refund (extended membership) from their local wildlife trust due to limited access cos of lockdown. Supporting such bodies is not a gym membership!
#RunsMuchDeeper
Seems odd leaving the house you've brought your babies home from hospital to & where we've lived most of our marriage. Closed with a house list of 59 species incl Willow W, Cuckoo, Golden Plover, RN Prkt, Oyc + Peregrine, plus 294 moth species. Let's see what the next home brings
This evening's Glaucous Gull at
#uptonwarren
Flashes in the gull roost - only the third record following two records in 1972 from
@stevemothman
. Photo courtesy of Julie Saxton.
After an uneventful walk around Kingsbury Water Park I popped into Coton Lakes. The resplendent drake Bufflehead was in the SE corner of Lake 2B along with male Goldeneye, pair of Goosander and amazingly just the onea Pochard. Also Chiffchaff, Cetti's Warbler and Grey Wagtail.
No no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no NNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!
It has come to my attention from a respected photographer that the Red-backed Shrike in Sutton Park is being baited with mealworms. There is plenty of natural food at present; supplementary feeding will tempt it to stay into poorer weather + threaten its chances of survival.
@notDcfcBoss
Think you are mistaken for once - this is Alan Shearer relaxing with then Blackburn Rover team mate Colin Hendry after THAT Euro 96 group game
Spent 2 hours with the Asian Desert Warbler on Holy Island - great bird (that eye!) in a fantastic location. Some subdued singing and several bouts of churring - a duller bird than I recalled from the UAE (perhaps it's sunnier there!) ✔493 and back on course for
#500by50
There are far far better images of the Red-backed Shrike in Sutton Park out there but I don't care - never thought I would see such a stunning bird (and a male to boot) less than 4 miles from my house.
Many thanks for all your wishes yesterday. Doctor couldnt find any glass in my eye but swept the eyeball + both eyelids just in case 🤢 Thanks to the staff at Good Hope Hospital💗 Thats 4 hours of my life I wont get back; thank goodness for £350m per week Brexit bonus to NHS 🙄🤕
@Coldwar_Steve
Farage is a fine example of what me and the missus call ' shops in Ludlow' on account of the plethora of gentleman's outfitters selling orange courdary trousers and tweed jackets for the urban wannabe country set with a few dead pheasants (and peasants) stuffed in each pocket
Thank you for the 250 votes in the final of West Midlands Bird of the Year 2023 (+ for all the votes in the preceding rounds).
I can announce this year breeding Osprey in Staffordshire took the crown - a ray of hope in what often feels like a losing battle to protect our wildlife
@Coldwar_Steve
HS: "Do you know how many live would have been saved if we entered lockdown sooner?"
BJ: "No but if you fire up the organ I'll will soon pick up the tune"
I am sure the Internet will be awash with pin sharp images of the
@RSPBMiddleton
Wryneck but I am quite happy with my bridge camera pics from this evening
There're far better pictures out there but I dont care - Glaucous Gull at
#uptonwarren
Flashes this morning (species
#198
) shortly followed by an Iceland Gull just a few metres away (
#199
). What will be
#200
for the reserve? (will shut eyes + ears if theres a Parakeet on site😨)
Fantastic views just of the female Pallid Harrier at Middleton Lakes quartering Jubilee Wetlands at c4:45pm. A very welcome additional to my
@WestMidBirdClub
list and 5th Staffs tick this year
@BirdGuides
@RareBirdAlertUK
RED-FLANKED BLUETAIL north of Redditch near Portway at Lion Wood Nature Reserve - trapped and ringed this morning. Please park carefully and observe social distancing. County and
@WestMidBirdClub
regional first.
"Purple Haze" was the second song Jimi Hendrix played in his set at the Birmingham Odeon on 19th April 1967. Yesterday, 54 years on, it was Purple Daze with this juvenile sandpiper frequenting the dam of Edgbston Reservoir, a stunning record for Birmingham city centre.
A closer look today at the ploughed + flattened stoney field at Little Aston STW. I proclaim:
Breeding Lapwing no more
Nesting Skylark no more
Snipe wintering in boggy areas no more
Linnet flocks feeding in margins no more
Passage Mipits no more
NO MORE AGRICULTURAL MONOCULTURE
Today (18/03) is the tenth anniversary of my best ever birding find - an African Desert Warbler at El Medano on Tenerife, the seventh record for Spain. Unfortunately I only have some very poor mobile phone images but it gives an idea. Seen on two subsequent dates.
A welcome surprise in the form of a confiding Shore Lark this morning at Blithfield Reservoir, providing a Staffs (
#248
) and West Mids regional tick (
#278
). Also 3 Egyptian Geese and a couple of GBBG. Nice to catch with
@Ochruros
The netting of hedgerows + Sand Martin breeding cliffs is quite rightly provoking a storm of criticism but how about this for taking it a stage further? A telecoms mast north of Bromsgrove - potential raptor / corvid breeding opportunities denied. Photo courtesy of Graham Wilkes.
Holiday off to a flying start - left my hand luggage in the house! Luckily it only contained my scope, bins, camera.....🙄😡
Will be an interesting eyeballed / heard-only list in Lanzarote
Many thanks to the 31 sites which participated in Saturday's
#westmidsalldayer
. Some v good totals considering limited passage on the day. A 3 way tie at the top with Ladywalk, Middleton & Branston recording 101 species. Yet to add up but think c150 species were noted on the day.
Some more shots of the gorgeous male Red-backed Shrike in Sutton Park from my return visits yesterday afternoon - bird has been reported adding both a mouse and lizards to its larder. Will it linger long enough to be recorded on the
#WestMidsAllDayer
on Saturday?
Many thanks to all 23 sites who participated in yesterday's
#WestMidsAllDayer
; some impressive totals given neglible passage. Special mention to Middleton for best total (102), Grimley for bird of the day (Ferruginous D) + Belvide for finds of the day (Cattle Egret + Little Tern)
@FrTedQOTD
There was a time when the police in this country were friends of the church; speeding tickets torn up, drunk driving charges quashed, even a blind eye turned to murder
Link to the final results of the autumn edition of the West Midlands All-Day Birdwatch when a new record of 32 sites participated, producing another record of 139 species observed. Many thanks to all who gave their time on the day
#WestMidsAllDayer
An early Willow Warbler singing in Sutton Park southwest of the Jamboree Stone this afternoon; also a possible distant singing Tree Pipit in the same area. Other notable sightings included Raven, Jay, Nuthatch, Green Woodpecker, Siskin and Redpoll but oddly no Chiffchaff
Excellent close views this morning of the Siberian Stonechat at Ashtons Flash, Northwich - 200 meters east of the bench at 1015
@RareBirdAlertUK
@BirdGuides
Racking up the lifers this year! Brown Booby successfully chased down at Seal Sands from Birmingham. Excellent flight views and now perched up on bouy on left hand side of photo. Memories of a painful Cornish dip now banished!
Many thanks to the 30 sites who participated in the
#westmidsalldayer
yesterday. Some very impressive totals for locations large and small, esp considering virtually no passage on the day and stalled migration in the proceeding days. Well done all! Site totals linked below
Many thanks + congratulations to the 24 sites who participated in Saturday's
#westmidsalldayer
. Branston came top, breaking the 100 species barrier, whilst new species for the autumn event were Nightjar, Spotted Crake and Tundra Bean Goose. Will now work on the full species list.
Overall a tidy first day on Shetland - Hornemann's Arctic Redpoll, Blyth's Reed Warbler, Red-breasted Flycatcher & King Eider plus some nice padders with YB Warbler + 9 Mealy Redpoll on the local patch, Snow Bunting, Greenshank, Slavonian Grebe, Whooper Swan
On the starting blocks for my Great North Run -- a relay of Red-footed Falcon followed by Rose-coloured Starling and then a final lap of Asian Desert Warbler for the gold medal
Who would"ve thought I'd see 2 new birds yesterday & still feel disappointed
Magnolia Warbler at St Govans Head (3rd for Britain) + Bay-breasted Warbler on Ramsey Island (2nd for Britain) were great birds but just couldnt get enough on the nearby Canada Warbler to happily tick it
Very pleased to catch up with the Melodious Warbler on Lickey Hills - singing on + off and showing occasionally (briefly but well) in the saplings in the late sun until 7:10pm at least
@WorcsBirding
@BirdGuides
@RareBirdAlertUK
Nice to catch up with
@andypitt21
and meet
@axmalt
Rounded off the day watching my local Barn Owl quartering rough fields (passing within 20 foot of me at one point) against a soundtrack of whistling Teal, cat-calling Grey Partridge and squeaking Snipe leaving their daytime roost to feed in the fields.
Approx 30 happy birders at
@RSPBMiddleton
this morning with the drumming Lesser Spotted Woodpecker showing from car park in trees opposite 0820-0830
As always good to catch up with
@ArchieRaven
@Ochruros
@mybirding
Also reported 2 Cattle Egret leaving the roost + hunting Barn Owl
Was pleased with a Flame Carpet in the moth trap this morning until I fished out this slightly larger catch at the bottom of the trap; think its a Brown Long-eared Bat (approx 250 metres from the Mill Pool at Hill Hook NR)
@TheReremouse
@BattyLisa
@ruth_newby
@EcoRecording
The view from the new house - you may recognise it
@Stevewa38886829
@ruth_newby
@TheReremouse
Birds that I have never had on other house lists already include Mute Swan, Coot, Tufted Duck + Goosander 🧐
@HerefsBirds
epic 5hr drive back from Kent to connect with the 2 Chough on Hereford Beacon, thanks to
@WorcsBirding
and hope they spend some time on Worcester side (but not too much!)
An lovely afternoon at Ladywalk NR notched up an excellent 60 species. Headliner was the female Ring-necked Duck (once it woke up) with support acts of GW + Little Egret, Green Sand, 2 Oyks, 5+ Goosander on river, a stonking male Brambling + my first Willow Tit for several years
Provisional results from yesterday's
#WestMidsAllDayer
with a record breaking 32 sites participating - well done to all on a fantastic effort on a day of little movement. Could site lists be sent to pmandrews1973
@googlemail
.com or just DM me a photo of said list
@WestMidBirdClub
Thanks to
@WorcsWT
's investment in a new fox-proof fence at
#uptonwarren
Flashes we have had a record breaking year for Avocet with 49 chicks hatched to date, exceeding the 41 hatched in 2013
@waderquest
@WestMidBirdClub
Many thanks to all 30 sites who took part in yesterday's
#WestMidsAllDayer
; some impressive provisional totals despite limited movement. Headline bird was Great Skua at Bartley; also Firecrest at Bittell, Garganey at Middleton Alvecote + Belvide, Marsh Harrier at Aqualate + Doxey
@GeorgePMakin
Totally disagree. The
#westmidsalldayer
has multiple purposes incl a snapshot of locations/trends, meeting up with friends, bringing the region's birders together + showcasing what the West Mids can offer. Not sure anyone is very bothered who wins, its about enjoying the craic
Don't be fooled by the shots that I've got
I'm still Jenny from the 'cote
Used to string a little
Now I string a lot
I'm still Jenny from the 'cote
@Recordshotmyars
After Flamborough Head it was on to Stone Creek. Fantastic views of hunting Rough-legged Buzzard plus 3+ ringtail Hen Harrier, 3 Short-eared Owl, 2+ Barn Owl, Kestrel, Common Buzzard, many Marsh Harrier, 5 Whooper Swan, Tree Sparrow and large flocks of Golden Plover + PF Geese.
Fabulous evening at a near deserted sun-drenched
@RSPBMiddleton
. 3 Cattle Egret still in sheep field by Fishers Mill Bridge at 1845 but gone an hour later. Greenshank, 3 Black-tailed Godwit + 3 Yellow Wags on Jubilee Wetlands; Gropper reeling on the return walk
@MercianBirding
Third time lucky on my Swallowtail quest - at least 5 seen at
@RSPB_Strumpshaw
yesterday. Supporting cast included Grasshopper Warbler, Cuckoo, Bearded Tit, Marsh Harrier, Norfolk Hawker, Scarce Chaser, Painted Lady and several Brimstones. A few BOC pics.
Firstly you plough up all the nesting Lapwing & Little-ringed Plover chicks, then you flail all the Blackbird & Whitethroat nests in the Bramble & finally you mow the Skylarks to oblivion in the former rape crop, if this was on a construction site there would be prosecutions
Overcast conditions in Oversley Wood yesterday still yielded 17 species of butterfly, top spot (or is that throne?) firmly occupied by this single Purple Emperor, my 48th species for Britain, quickly followed by Essex Skipper as the 49th. What will be the 50th??
#PurpleReign
First summer female Red-footed Falcon again 12:15 just west of Biggin, sat in wires and dropping to take earthworms from the ground. Cracking bird! Also my first hare of the year and Yellow Wag
@BirdGuides
@RareBirdAlertUK
Please see attached the best image to date of the putative Two-barred Crossbill present on Cannock Chase in recent weeks. Many thanks to Phil Ward for sharing this image.
@WestMidsBirding
@Staffsbirdnews
An outstanding early morning with up to 7 Houbara Bustard and 10 Cream-coloured Courser (including 2 courserlings) giving prolonged, extremely close views on the plains southeast of Soo.
Also Marsh Harrier, Raven, Hoopoe, Swift & 5+ Southern Grey Shrike.
Now 2 singing male Great Reed Warblers at Snettisham Coastal Park (birds approx 1/4 mile apart) at 0930 as per
@bikingbirder16
Can't immediately think of any other multiple records?
@BirdGuides
@RareBirdAlertUK
My first ever rare bird was a Spotted Crake at Low Newton-by-the-Sea as a 16 yo on a family holiday to Northumberland in August 1989. Fast forward 34 (😱) years + it was fitting that it was the location for my latest new bird (and a first for Britian to boot), Grey-headed Lapwing
A spirit raising session in the Wyre Forest today after a draining week yielded a near full card of Cuckoo, Pied + Spotted Flycatcher, Wood + Garden Warbler, Redstart, Dipper, Tree Pipit and Marsh Tit but not a single butterfly. Great to bump into
@MidlandsBirder
for a catch up
Excellent afternoon at Branston GPs with fem Common Scoter + 13 species of wader incl Knot, 5 Ruff, 2+ Blackwit, 2 Green Sand, 5 Curlew, 6+ Ringed Plover, 6+ LRP, Dunlin. Also 7+ Goldeneye, Peregrine, Kingfisher, Egyptian Goose + my first Sand Martins of the year
@Staffsbirdnews
A 3 diver afternoon in Staffordshire - juvenile Red-throated Diver in Blithe Bay at Blithfield Reservoir followed by 2 juvenile Great Northern Divers showing ridiculously well on the southwest corner of Chasewater still at 4pm. Also Shag, Goosander + Goldeneye.
@Staffsbirdnews
Calling all West Midlands birders! The autumn edition of the All Day Birdwatch is taking place on Saturday 4th September. In Spring over 30 sites participated; will the 40 mark be broken in few weeks? An interesting snapshot of birds' fortunes across the region
#WestMidsAllDayer
Excellent evening at Clifton Pits. Lesser Yellowlegs still on east shore of north pit at 8:35pm + 4 Dunlin, Common Sand, Ringed + Little Ringed Plover and numerous Yellow Wags. Best of all were 2 Hobby creating mayhem in the massed ranks of hirundines
#potofgold
@WorcsBirding