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Birdingprof @birdingprof.bsky.social · 13m

Finally, I spotted this little fellow scuttle under the egg boxes as soon as the trap was opened at Lakenheath.

I knew it was going to be new. And so it proved, a NFM Double-striped Tabby.

#teammoth

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Birdingprof @birdingprof.bsky.social · 18m

A small Moth with folded wings, at Lakenheath, was always going to be interesting, so imagine my grief when it escaped - twice!
All was well in the end, and it proved to be a NFM Red Twin-spot Carpet.

#teammoth

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Birdingprof @birdingprof.bsky.social · 33m

I’ve seen a bunch of these on Scilly, and I would say yes.
Somebody needs to submit one.

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Birdingprof @birdingprof.bsky.social · 1h

One of the first Moths seen this morning, once we’d flicked the ubiquitous Clifden out of the way, 😚 was this impressive and NFM Blair’s Shoulder-knot.

#teammoth

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Birdingprof @birdingprof.bsky.social · 1h

I thought Sallow was new for me this morning, but it turns out I’ve had it before. However, this NFM Barred Sallow at Lakenheath did the trick.

#teammoth

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Birdingprof @birdingprof.bsky.social · 1h

Saving the best till first with the @rspb.bsky.social Lakenheath Moth trap. In fact, this was on the outside. A NFM Cypress Carpet. Probably 5 new Moths for me, this morning, in a decently varied haul. #teammoth

Nice to see c.50 Whooper Swans too, my 1st of the Autumn.

By the way - I hate Swifts.

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Birdingprof @birdingprof.bsky.social · 4h

Redpoll & Redwing over. Red-face in the garden 😚 I disbelieved Merlin’s™️ House Sparrow the other day, but saw it today - 1st autumn record. I disbelieved Crossbill this a.m. till another flock of 9 flew over, my largest to date. #106 Brambling my last expected yeartick. 2 distant Egrets frustrated.

Crossbill which Merlin heard and I disbelieved. Later a flock of 9 flew over, low and loud.

First Brambling of the year. Fortunately Merlin and I both heard it, despite some car noise.

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Birdingprof @birdingprof.bsky.social · 20h

I feel it is mocking me!

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Birdingprof @birdingprof.bsky.social · 22h

I’m glad for you. It always was going to get pinned down, sooner or later.

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Birdingprof @birdingprof.bsky.social · 1d

Sun’s up at @rspbbemptoncliffs.bsky.social

Any time now will be fine…

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Birdingprof @birdingprof.bsky.social · 1d

Meanwhile, somewhere on the East coast…

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Birdingprof @birdingprof.bsky.social · 1d

Spurn has got to be a fair bet for this bird moving south.

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Reposted by Birdingprof

RareBirdAlert @rarebirder.bsky.social · 1d

MEGA - White-throated Needletail earlier this pm at Tophill Low, E.Yorks

First mainland record since 1991 😲

No sign at the moment but make sure you have the BirdAlertPRO app if its re-found.

Get a 30-day free trial here rarebirdalert.co.uk/realdata/bir...

📷 via tophilllow.blogspot.com

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Birdingprof @birdingprof.bsky.social · 2d

Scanning the sailing lake @suffolkwildlife.bsky.social Lackford, notice something that looks like a Mandarin…scope it up…just some bright leaves. 🍁 🍃

Carry on scoping, and what’s the next bird I see?

Drake Mandarin. I’ve never seen one here before, despite them breeding not too far away.

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Birdingprof @birdingprof.bsky.social · 2d

ebird.org/news/2025-ta...

2025 Taxonomy Update—COMING SOON - eBird

The 2025 eBird Taxonomy Update will begin on 28 October and big changes are already underway as we prepare the eBird database for this year's revisions. Follow this page for updates throughout the pro...

ebird.org

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Birdingprof @birdingprof.bsky.social · 2d

Given up counting ours.
Nearly as much Ladybird biomass as human biomass in our place.

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Birdingprof @birdingprof.bsky.social · 2d

Just click on ‘Explore’ then add ‘from:me’ then a word you used in the post and it will find it for you.

How to search for your posts on BlueSky.

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Birdingprof @birdingprof.bsky.social · 3d

I think only about 38 birders got it too. About half a boat load. We were on the islands but couldn’t get over. IIRC the boatmen got a ticking off for going. We wondered about the next day, all boats were cancelled due to a force 10 South-westerly, waves breaking over the harbour wall!

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Birdingprof @birdingprof.bsky.social · 3d

The 3rd Reed Bunting in a week, over the garden, this morning. Also a few Meadows Pipits, Redwings 6 & 9, and a couple of Finches.

A Giant House Spider lived up to its name. 🏠 🕷️

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Birdingprof @birdingprof.bsky.social · 3d

On this day 25 years ago: a reasonable day on Scilly; Rose-coloured Starling was new for the trip, as was Common Rosefinch. Re-visited some of the long-staying rarities, and some nice back-up birds, including
Red-backed Shrike, Sand Martins, Yellow-browed Warbler and Jack Snipe.

Rose-coloured Starling, virtually an annual fixture on Scilly in the autumn.

📸 unknown

Common Rosefinch, a bird that took me ages to get on my Scilly list.

📸 unknown

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Birdingprof @birdingprof.bsky.social · 3d

😬

Birdingprof @birdingprof.bsky.social · 3d

There has.

Birdingprof @birdingprof.bsky.social · 3d

Just 1 Ruff at Isleham Wash this morning. A strange pale-grey Egret sp. flew South-west into Cambs. Couldn’t be sure of size or how complete the grey coverage was, due to distance.

Something like (and a similar bird in Essex in 2024) this maybe: 👇🏼

britishbirds.co.uk/journal/arti....

A grey egret in Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire

In July 2020, a grey juvenile egret was found in north Lincolnshire and later in Nottinghamshire; it was either a grey-morph Little Egret Egretta garzetta...

britishbirds.co.uk

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Birdingprof @birdingprof.bsky.social · 4d

OTD 25 yrs ago: An Arctic Warbler and Solitary Sandpiper on Scilly. Back-up birds included; Red-eyed Vireo, Yellow-browed Warbler, Dotterel and Mediterranean Gull. In Cornwall before departure some Pale-bellied Brent’s and a Great Northen Diver.

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Birdingprof @birdingprof.bsky.social · 4d

OTD 40 yrs ago: My 1st Bee-eater on Tresco. An unusual bird for October.

Other goodies over my 2 days on Scilly included this fem. American Wigeon, sum. pl. Spotted Sandpiper& Grey Phalarope.

Another of those and a Red-eyed Vireo in Cornwall on the way home.

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